Observational techniques

What are naturalistic observations

Observations that take place in the setting where the target behaviour would normally occur

What is a controlled observation

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment

What are covert observations

Where the participants are unaware they are the focus of the study and behaviour is observed secretly

Where does behaviour have to happen for covert observations to be ethical

In public

What are overt observations

Where participants know they are being studied and have given informed consent beforehand

What are participant observations

Where the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are recording

What are non-participant observations

Where the researcher remains outside of the group they are watching and recording

What is a limitations of all observations

Observer bias - the observers interpretation of a situation may be affected by their expectations, can avoid by using multiple observers

What is a strength and limitation of covert observations

S: removes demand characteristics - increases internal validity

L: Ethics - even in public ppl may not want their behaviour noted down

What is a strength and limitation of participant observations

S: Researcher gains insight into lives of people being studied

L: Researcher may identify too strongly with the people they are studying and lose objectivity