Observations

• naturalistic observation


  behaviour which is observed in an everyday setting in which the target behaviour would normally occur
• naturalistic observation strengths


  high ecological validity- gives a realistic picture of spontaneous behaviour as the behaviour is being observed in a context where it would normally occur
• naturalistic observation weaknesses


  -little control over extraneous variables

  -difficult to replicate
• controlled observation


  behaviour is observed under controlled conditions where certain variables have been regulated by the researcher
• controlled observation strengths


  -easy to replicate

  -can focus on particular aspects of behaviour
• controlled observation weaknesses


  low ecological validity- findings cannot be as easily applied to real-life settings
• covert observation


  observing people without their knowledge or consent
• covert observation strengths


  reduces likelihood of demand characteristics-> increases validity of results
• covert observation weaknesses


  ethical issues- cannot give consent
• overt observation


  observing people with their knowledge and consent
• overt observation strengths


  more ethically acceptable
• overt observation weaknesses


  -demand characteristics- ppts. are aware they are being studied and so may change behaviour->reduces validity of results
• participant observation


  observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed
• participant observation strengths


  increased insight from the 'inside' into the lives of people being studied that may not have otherwise been gained
• participant observation weaknesses


  researcher may closely identify with those they are observing and lose objectivity=going 'native'->when the line between being a researcher and being a ppt. becomes blurred
• non-participant observation

  the observer is separate from the people being observed
• non-participant observation strengths


  more objective as not part of the group they are observing
• non-participant observation weaknesses


  may lose insight to be gained as they are too far removed from the people they are studying