8. observational techniques

types of observation

1. naturalistic/controlled

2. covert/overt

3. participant/non participant

all observations strengths

• benefit of capturing what people actually do which may be unexpected behaviour - special insight into behaviour

all observations limitations

• observer bias - observers interpretation of a situation may be affected by their expectations, may be reduced using more than one observer

• cannot demonstrate causal relationships - though they may be used in experiments to aid in detecting cause and effect relationships

naturalistic

• watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur

controlled

• watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment ie where some variables are managed

naturalistic evaluation

• high external validity as findings can be generalised to everyday life - because the behaviour is studies within the environment where it would normally occur

• lack of control makes replication difficult

• can be uncontrolled CVs and EVs, making it harder to judge any pattern of behaviour

controlled evaluation

• CVs and EVs are less of a factor so replication of the observation becomes easier

• may produce findings that cannot be as readily applied to everyday life

covert

• participants behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent

overt

• participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent

covert evaluation

• removes problem of demand characteristics and ensures any behaviour recorded is natural - increasing internal validity of data gathered

• ethics may be questioned - invasion of right to privacy and informed consent

overt evaluation

• more ethically acceptable

• knowledge participants have that they are being observed may act as a significant influence on their behaviour

participant

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

non-participant

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

participant evaluation

• researcher can experience the situation as the participants do giving them increased insight - may increase external validity

• researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they are studying and lose objectivity - referred to as going native when the line between being a researcher and a participant becomes blurred

non-participant evaluation

• allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance form their participants so there is less danger of them adopting a local lifestyle

• may lose the valuable insight to be gained as they are too far removed from the people and behavior studied