3 observational techniques

4 types of observations in a setting

naturalistic + controlled

covert and overt

what does overt and covert mean?

overt: ptp aware being watched, researcher is visible

covert: ptps not being aware of being watched, researcher isnt visible

whats a naturalistic observations?

takes olace in real life emvironments eg. how people work in a supermarket

whats are controlled observations?

takes place in an environment thathas been set up by the researcher

eg. in ainsworth, children brought into a playroom with toys and furniture selected by RSer

ao3 of natural observations

+ high ecological validity and accurately generalised

but can be less if overt.

- uncontrolled extraneous variables that may influence the behaviour observed in real life setting

- ine off situation, making replication difficult

ao3 of controlled obs

+ EV less likely to interfere

+ easily repliacted due to controlling environment and increased reliability of findings easier to establish

- artifical env, low ecological validity

ao3 of covert obs

+ good internal validity because ptps are unaware of observation, less DC and natural

- breaks ethical guidekines around privacy, without inital consent

overt ao3

+ more ethical than covert are ptps are aware and given conset

- knowing they're being watched can reduce natural behaviours and less internal validity. DC likely to happen