Observational Techniques

Define Naturalistic Observation

An observational technique where behaviour is observed in its

natural context, without intrusion by the person who is doing the observing. There is no direct

manipulation of variables. The emphasis is on how people behave in natural situations.

What are the strengths of Naturalistic observation?

1) High ecological validity

2) Study behaviour where can’t manipulate variables

Evaluate ‘High ecological validity’ as a strength of Naturalistic Observation

: as the participants are unaware of the observation and behaving

in their natural environment there is high ecological validity. There is less chance of

demand characteristics influencing the participant’s behaviour whereas in the laboratory

experiment or the controlled observation there is the potential for artificial behaviour

Evaluate ‘Study behaviour where can’t manipulate variables’ as a strength of Naturalistic observation

Data can be collected from

participants who cannot be tested in other ways e.g. babies and when manipulation is

unethical or impractical

What are the limitations of Naturalistic observation?

1)observer bias

2)lack of control

Evaluate ‘observer bias’ as a limitation of Naturalistic Observation

The observer may see what he or she expects to see. Different observers

may see different things, which leads to low-inter observer reliability

Evaluate ‘lack of control’ as a limitation of Naturalistic Observation

Compared to other methods such as the laboratory experiment or the

controlled observation there is no control of variable therefore replication will be

impossible, meaning it is hard to establish external validity.

Define Controlled Observation

This is where the researcher attempts to control certain variables.

Control of the environment can occur if the observation is conducted in the laboratory. The

Strange Situation is a controlled observation

What are the strengths of Controlled Observation?

1) Time saving

2) Preliminary Research

Evaluate ‘time saving‘ as a strength of Controlled Observation

It is possible to manipulate the situation and therefore you do not have to

wait for the desired behaviour to be shown. In this way the controlled observation is a

quicker more economical method than the naturalistic observation.

Evaluate ‘preliminary research‘ as a strength of Controlled Observation

Provides a means of conducting preliminary research to develop

new hypothesis for future investigations or may help prevent time being wasted in

carrying out unrealistic experiments.

What are the limitations of Controlled Observation?

1) lower ecological validity

2) observer bias

Evaluate ‘lower ecological validity’ as a strength of Controlled Observation

: Participants behaviour may change because they know they

are being observed. Therefore, behaviour may not be natural which lowers ecological

validity compared to the natural observation

Evaluate ‘observer bias’ as a limitation of Controlled Observation

: The observer may see what he or she expects to see. Different observers

may see different things, which leads to low-inter observer reliability.

Describe Covert Observation

Participants are unaware they are being

observed

Evaluate the strength of covert observation

High ecological validity as behaviour is

more natural as the participants are

unaware they are being watched

Evaluate limitation of Covert Observation

Ethics may be questionable due to

invasion of privacy and lack of informed

consent

Define overt observation

Participants know their behaviour is

being observed.

Evaluate the strength of overt observation

More ethical than covert if gained

informed consent

Evaluate the limitation of overt observation

reduced ecological validity because

the participants know they are being

watched, this may lead to participant

reactivity.

Define participant observation

The observer becomes part of the group

they are studying.

Evaluate the strength of participant observation

Allows the researcher to gain special

insight into the behaviour that may only

be seen from the ‘inside’, increasing

validity of findings

Evaluate the limitation of participant observation

Observer bias, objectivity of findings

may be affected by being part of the

group.

Define Non-participant observation

The researcher remains separate

from the group they are studying.

Evaluate the strength of Non-participant observation

Observer more likely to be objective,

compared to participant observation

Evaluate the limitation of Non-participant observation

Compared to participant observation,

data lacks richness.