Types of Observation (+ AO3)

Research Methods - page 182/183

what are the three variables that determine the type of observation?

• location

• awareness of participants

• observer involvement

what is a naturalistic observation?

behaviour is watched and recorded in the setting that it would normally occur.

what is a controlled observation?

behaviour is watched and recorded in a structured (and often artificial) environment where variables are controlled.

what is a covert observation?

participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.

what is an overt observation?

participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded with their consent.

what is a participant observation?

the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording.

what is a non-participant observation?

the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording.

what is a limitation of all observations?

how can it be reduced?

• observer bias - the observer’s interpretation of the situation may be influenced by their expectations.

• it can be reduced by using more than one observer.

what are strengths of naturalistic observations?

• high in ecological validity

• high in generalisability

what are limitations of naturalistic observations?

• low in replicability

• lack of control over confounding/extraneous variables

what is a strength of controlled observations?

• high in replicability

what are limitations of controlled observations?

• low in ecological validity

• low in generalisability

what are strengths of covert observations?

• high internal validity

• no demand characteristics

what is a limitation of covert observations?

• ethical issues - violates ‘right to privacy’ and lack of informed consent

• counterpoint - retrospective consent, knowing may compromise results

what is a strength of overt observations?

• considerate of ethical guidelines

what are limitations of overt observations?

• high demand characteristics

• low internal validity

what is a strength of participant observations?

• the researcher can gain valuable insight, maybe increasing external validity

what is a limitation of participant observations?

• the researcher may lose objectivity

what is a strength of non-participant observations?

• the researcher remains objective

what is a weakness of non-participant observations?

• the researcher may lose valuable insight into participant behaviour