RM2 non-experimental research methods

what are the types of observation?

naturalistic or controlled; covert or overt; participant or non-participant

what makes an observation naturalistic?

it takes place in a natural setting (e.g. home or school) without the researcher interfering

what makes an observation controlled?

it takes place in an environment that’s controlled by the researcher

what makes an observation covert?

the participants are not aware that they are being observed

what makes an observation overt?

the participants are aware that they are being observed

what makes an observation participant?

the researcher joins the participant group and observes internally

what makes an observation non-participant?

the researcher does not become a member of the participant group

what does the researcher do in observations?

observe and record what happens; they do not manipulate any variables

what are the strengths of naturalistic observations?

high ecological validity, can be used in situations where other methods would be impractical or ethical, no effect of strange/artificial environment on behaviour

what are the limitations of a naturalistic observation?

observer bias can influence results, no control over extraneous variables so low internal validity, hard to replicate and check reliability

what are the strengths of a controlled observation?

can control extraneous variables so high internal validity, easy to replicate and check reliability, less ethical issues as participants have usually agreed (so normally covert)

what are the limitations of a controlled observation?

apprehension and demand characteristics may occur which lower validity, observer bias can influence results, low ecological validity as artificial environment can effect behaviour