Types Of Observations Flashcards
(12 cards)
A strength of controlled observations is their high internal validity.
E – Because the research takes place inside a controlled setting, the researcher has the ability to control situational extraneous variables (e.g., distractions caused by a noisy environment). This helps ensure the data collected is valid.
A limitation of controlled observations is their ecological validity.
E - Because the observation occurs in a controlled environment, participants may react to this setting and behave in an unnatural way. This makes it difficult to generalise from the findings to behaviour in the real world.
A strength of naturalistic observations is their ecological validity.
E - Because observation occurs in the setting where the target behaviour naturally occurs, participants are more likely to behave naturally, meaning findings are likely to be generalisable to the real world.
A limitation of naturalistic observations is their low internal validity.
E – Because the research takes place outside a controlled setting, the researcher lacks control of situational extraneous variables (e.g., distractions caused by a noisy environment).
A strength of covert observations is their ecological validity.
E - Because participants are observed without their knowledge, they are are more likely to behave naturally. This means findings are likely to be generalisable to the real world.
A limitation of covert observations is they present an ethical issue.
E - Because the participants are observed without their knowledge, it is not possible to get informed consent from the research. The only way round this is to conduct covert observations in public settings, where people are already aware they are being observed by others. However, this means ethical covert observational research is limited in where it can be carried out.
A strength of overt observations is their ethics.
E - Because participants in an overt observation know they are being observed, it is possible for the researcher to obtain informed consent. This not only safeguards the participants, but it also makes it easier for the research to be given the go-ahead by an ethics committee.
A limitation of overt observations is their ecological validity.
E - Because the participants are aware their behaviour is being observed, they may react to this by behaving in an unnatural way. This makes it difficult to generalise from the findings to behaviour in the real world.
A strength of participant observations is that the researcher can collect rich data.
E – Since in a participant observation, the researcher is part of the context within which the observed behaviours are occurring, they can experience the situation as the participants experience it. This can help the researcher collect rick data that allows a greater insight into their participants’ behaviour.
A limitation of participant observations is it can lead to a loss of objectivity
E - If the researcher becomes too enmeshed in the lives of the people they are observing, there is a danger that we will “see” what they expect (or want) to see. This is a problem as they could selectively report information instead of noting everything they observe. This would compromise the validity of the observation.
A strength of non-participant observations is that they can help the researcher to remain objective
E - If the researcher becomes too enmeshed in the lives of the people they are observing, there is a danger that we will “see” what they expect (or want) to see. By remaining apart from their participants, researchers in non-participant observations can remain objective, which helps improve the validity of their data.
A limitation of non-participant observations is the researcher may miss nuances in participants’ behaviour.
E – There is great richness in human behaviour. By observing behaviour from a distance (perhaps via video), non-participant observers may fail to detect aspects of their participants’ behaviour that would be noticeable if they were closer.
