observations -

• what is a covert observation?


  'undercover' as participants don't know that they're being studied.
• what is an overt observation?


  participants are aware that they're being studied.
• what is a participant observation?


  researcher joins the group they're observing.
• what are strengths of covert observations?

  • more likely to see participant's natural behaviour which increases invalidity.
  • less chance for participant's to succumb to demand characteristics or social desirability.
• what are weaknesses of covert observations?


  ethics are an issue as participants can't consent to taking part.
• what are types of observation?

  • covert observations
  • overt observations
  • participant observations
  • non - participant observations
  • naturalistic observations
  • controlled observations
• what is a non - participant observation?

  observing a group of people as an outsider.
• what is a naturalistic observation?


  watching people in their natural environment?
• what is a controlled observation?


  an observation that is done in controlled environments, such as labs.
• what are strengths of non - participant observations?

  results are more likely to be valid as the researcher isn't present so they can't change the dynamic of the group - more likely to see natural behaviour.
• what are weaknesses of non - participant observations?

  being out of the group may mean that we miss / misinterpret information.
• what are strengths of participant observations?


  being part of the group means were less likely to miss / misinterpret information.
• what are weaknesses of participant observations?


  researcher may manipulate the group dynamic - we won't see participant's natural behaviour.
• what are strengths of naturalistic observations?


  natural environment could mean that we are more likely to see participant's natural behaviour.
• what are weaknesses of naturalistic observations?


  observations are less standardised so we may not be able to replicate the study again.
• what are strengths of controlled observations?


  more standardised - we are able to replicate the study again which ensures reliability so there's less chance for extraneous variables.
• what are weaknesses of controlled observations?


  artificial environment - less likely to see participant's natural environment.
• what are strengths of overt observations?


  ethics are adhered to as participants are aware that they're being observed.
• what are weaknesses of overt observations?

  • less likely to see participant's natural behaviour - decreases the validity.
  • more chance of observer effect.