non-experimentsl methods - observational techniques

Naturalistic observation

• occurs in a natural setting

• Occur in the P’s natural environment

• Can be done overt or covert

Naturalistic strength

• Hugh ecological validity

• Can study something that would normally never ethical issues e.g. can look at effects of imprisonment by locking P’s in a lab and so you’d go to a prison setting

Naturalistic weakness

• Can’t control extraneous variables e.g. temp or weather could affect behaviour

• Very difficult to replicate so may not be reliable

Controlled observations

Takes place in a controlled lab setting and the researcher attempts to control or manipulate variables

Controlled observations strength

• very easy to replicate and so have high reliability

• Unwanted extraneous variables have been eliminated

Controlled observations weakness

• P’s have more chance of guessing the demand characteristics

• Lacks ecological validity

Covert observations

• P’s are unaware that they are being observed

• P’s can’t give consent to being observed yet it’s done in a public area so they know there may be things like cctv

Covert observations strengths

• Demand characteristics aren’t a problem

• Good internal validity

Covert observations weakness

It can be seen as an invasion of privacy

Overt observations

P’s know they are being observed and give their consent

Overt observations strength

• more ethically acceptable than the covert observations

Overt observations weakness

P’s may change due to being watched e.g. Hawthorne effect therefore reducing the internal validity

Participant observation

The observer takes part in the activities

Participant observation strength

• The observer will get a fuller and better understanding of the actions of the group if done covertly then the P’s will act naturally

Participant observation weakness

• Because the observer is taking part then it’ll be difficult for them to observe and get the results

• It’ll be difficult to record the behaviour without being discovered and trying to remember it till after will be inaccurate

Non participant observations

The researcher follows the group around and doesn’t engage in activities

Non participant observations strength

The researcher isn’t interfering with their behaviour and can record the results easier

Non participant observations weakness

• they might not fully understand the behaviour of the group

• The presence of the observer can change the participant behaviour (Hawthorne effect)