Observational techniques

• Types of observation The Location Naturalistic: In participants natural environment. Controlled: In a controlled area of the researchers choosing. The Role of the Researcher Participant: The researcher joins in with the activities being carried out by the participants. Non Participant: The researcher observes the participants but doesn’t join in with their activities. The Identity of the Researcher Covert: The researcher is under cover. Overt: The participant knows they are being watched
• Controlled Observations ➢Some variables in the environment are regulated by the researcher, reducing the ‘naturalness’ of the environment and consequently the ‘naturalness’ of the behaviour being studied. ➢Participants are likely to know that they are being studied – Demand Characteristics ➢Manipulate variables effects and also control of confounding/extraneous variables ➢Controlled observations may take place in a laboratory experiments
• Low ecological validity means you cannot generalize your findings to real￾life situations
• Naturalistic Observations Observing people in their natural environment - High in Ecological validity. Behaviour is not controlled – people behave freely and are less likely to know that they are being observed. The researcher does not interfere, they simply observe. The negative side is that the lack of control leaves room for confounding variables. ➢ Naturalistic observations may take place in a field experiment.
• Participant – observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed. This means that their objectivity may be affected. Non-participant – researchers do not become actively involved in the behaviour being studied. The observer is separate from the people being observed and simply watches/listens.
• Overt – participants are aware that they are being observed. Covert – participants are not aware that they are being observed. Knowing that behaviour is being observed is likely to alter a participants behaviour
• A number of ethical issues can arise with observational studies including problems with a lack of informed consent and invasion of privacy. Observations can also be very time consuming, require careful preparation and possibly training for the observers.
• What is a key characteristic of naturalistic research?


  It has high ecological validity.
• Why can findings from naturalistic research be generalized?


  Because the researcher records naturally occurring behavior in a natural environment.
• What is a limitation of naturalistic research regarding reliability?


  It cannot be replicated to check reliability.
• Covert • Investigator bias are unlikely meaning that participants’ behaviour will be genuine • Not ethical as participants are not aware they are taking part and cannot give fully informed consent Overt • It is possible to inform participants in advance and obtain informed consent • Participant changes their behaviour through (demand characteristics/social desirability) because they know they are getting observed
• What is a key characteristic of controlled research?


  The researcher is in control of variables.
• Why can controlled research be replicated?


  Because the researcher controls the variables and can repeat the method.
• What is a disadvantage of controlled research in terms of ecological validity?


  It has low ecological validity due to being conducted in an artificial environment.
• What potential issue can arise from the artificial environment in controlled research?


  There may be outside interference from the researcher.
• How do controlled studies increase the chances of demand characteristics?


  Because participants may guess the purpose of the study due to the artificial setting.
• What are the main differences between naturalistic and controlled research?

  Naturalistic Research:

  • High ecological validity
  • Findings can be generalized
  • Cannot be replicated for reliability

  
  

  Controlled Research:

  • Can be replicated for reliability
  • Low ecological validity
  • Potential outside interference
  • Increases chances of demand characteristics
• Participant • The researcher gets a greater insight into the experiences of those being observed. • Close proximity to the participants and so are unlikely to overlook or miss any behaviours • They may lose objectivity as they become part of the study, friendly with other participants. Non-participant • The researcher is more likely to remain objective (reduce investigator effect). • May lack the extra insight gained from being a participant themselves. • Due to a lack of proximity the researcher might overlook or miss behaviours of interest.