Observational Studies

Observation

Can study observable behaviour in natural or controlled settings. Allows the researcher to study complex interactions between variables in a natural way

Observational studies

Make no attempt to control variables. Simply record behaviour as it occurs

Naturalistic observations

Everything has been left normally. Takes place in the setting or context where the target behaviour would occur. Environment is unstructured

Strength of a naturalistic observation 

High external validity, findings are often able to be generalised to everyday life (population validity). Since, the behaviour is studied within the environment where it would normally occur

Limitation of a naturalistic observation 

Lack of control, makes replication difficult. There may be many uncontrolled extraneous variables which makes it difficult to judge the behaviour’s pattern 

Controlled observations

Some variables are controlled by the researcher. The environment is controlled

Strength of a controlled observation

Extraneous variables may be less of a factor, replication becomes easier

Limitation of a controlled observation

May produce findings that can’t be applied to real life settings

Participant observation 

The researcher becomes a member of the group and watches and records the participant’s behaviour

Strength of a participant observation

Increased external validity, the researcher has increased insight

Limitation of a participant observation

Low internal validity, researcher may lose objectivity

Non-participant observation

When the researcher remains outside of the group and records and watches the participant’s behaviour

Strength of a non-participant observation 

Researcher can maintain an objective distance from the participants

Limitation of non-participant observation

Lose valuable insight as they are far from the people they are studying

Overt observation

When participants are aware they are being observed and have given their informed consent beforehand

Strength of an overt observation

More ethical, informed consent in obtained

Limitation of an overt observation

Demand characteristics are more likely, low internal validity

Covert observation 

Where participant’s behaviour is watched without their knowledge or informed consent 

Strength of a covert observation

Removes demand characteristics

Limitation of a covert observation

Ethics of the studies may be questioned

Observer bias 

When an observer has their own interpretation of a piece of behaviour that is different from others, can affect the results. Reduces validity of the observations 

Inter-observer reliability

The extent to which two observers agree in their rating of the same behaviour. Usually measured by taking both sets of ratings and comparing them