Types of Observations Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is an observation?
a non-experimental research method where researchers watch and record behaviour
- no manipulation of variables
Why are observations preferrable to experiments at times?
More ethical to study behaviours that shouldn’t/cannot be directly manipulated by the researcher
What are the 6 different kinds of observations?
Lab
Natural
Overt
Covert
Participant
Non-Participant
What is a natural observation?
Observation in the participant’s natural habitat
What is a controlled observation?
Observation in a lab-setting
What is a overt observation?
Observation where the participant knows they’re being watched
What is a covert observation?
Observation where the participant doesn’t know they’re being watched
What is a participant observation?
Researcher joins the group being studied
- eg undercover work into extremist groups
What is a non-participant observation?
Observation where the researcher never interacts with the participant during the study
Strengths of natural observations
High ecological validity
- records naturally occurring behaviour in a natural environment, without any outside interference
Limitations of natural observations
Harder to replicate
- researcher is not in control of variables
- low reliability
Strengths of controlled observations
Can be easily replicated
- can check reliability
- confounding and extraneous variables become less of an issue
Limitations of controlled observations
Low ecological validity
- artificial stimuli and environment
Potential outside interference from researcher
- may reduce generalisability
Strengths of overt observations
Is possible to gain consent and inform participants in advance
Limitations of overt observations
Ethical considerations
- difficult to keep some things private
Demand characteristics
- participant may change their behaviour through social desirability bias
Strengths of covert observations
Investigators effects are less likely
- behaviour is genuine
- increases internal validity
Limitations of covert obsevations
Ethical issues
- consent is not given and participants are unaware they’re taking part
Strengths of participant observations
Researcher can gain in-depth data
- unlikely to overlook/miss any behaviours
Experiences the situations
- increases external validity of findings
Limitations of participants observations
Researcher’s presence might influence the participants’ behaviours
- evaluation apprehension
May lose objectivity
- researcher may identify too strongly with those they are studying
Strengths of non-participant observations
Investigator effects and evaluation apprehension are less likely
- researcher is not visible
Limitations of non-participant observations
Lack of proximity may lead researchers to overlook/miss behaviours of interest
- lose valuable insight into the group/situation
