Observations

• What are the six types of observations?

  • Naturalistic
  • Controlled
  • Covert
  • Overt
  • Participant
  • Non-participant
• What are naturalistic observations?

  • Behaviour observed where it would normally occur
  • No control over variables
• What are controlled observations?

  Systematic observations in a controlled environment.
• What are covert observations?

  Observations carried out without the participants’ knowledge
• What are overt observations

  Observations carried out with the participants’ knowledge
• What are participant observations?

  Where the researcher joins the group in which they are observing
• What is a non-participant observation?

  An observation where the researcher does not join the group in which they are observing
• Strengths of all observations:

  They capture what people do and how they normally act
• Limitation of all observations:

  • Observer bias
  • No causal relationships shown
• Strength of naturalistic observations:

  • High external validity (everyday life)
• Limitation of naturalistic observations:

  • Low internal validity (control difficult)
• Strength of controlled observations

  High internal validity - extraneous variables may be controlled
• Limitation of controlled observations:

  • low external validity (except if covert)
• Strength of covert observations:

  • low demand characteristics
  • Higher internal validity
• Limitation of covert observations

  • Ethically questionable
• Limitation of overt observations:

  • Behaviour may be affected
  • Social desirability bias
• Strength of participant observations:

  • Increased external validity
• Limitation of participant observations:

  • May lose objectivity
• Strength of non-participant observations:

  • More objectivity (increased internal validity)
• Limitation of non-participant observations

  • Less insight