Observational Techniques

• Naturalistic Observations involve watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur
• Controlled Observations involve watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment
• Covert Observations occur when participants behaviour is observed without their knowledge or consent
• Overt Observations occur when participants are observed with their knowledge and consent
• Participant Observations are when the researcher becomes a member of the group whos behaviour they are observing
• Non-Participant Observations are when the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are observing
• Observer bias is where the observer's interpretation of events may be affected by their expectations
• Observer bias can be reduced by using multiple observers
• Naturalistic observations have high external validity as they can be generalised to everyday life
• Naturalistic observations have low reliability as the lack of control over the situation makes it difficult to replicate
• Naturalistic observations lack validity as they may be affected by extraneous or confounding variables
• Controlled observations may lack mundane realism so are difficult to generalise
• Covert observations remove demand characteristics which increases internal validity
• Covert observations have ethical issues as the participants have not consented to being observed
• Participant observations can increase external validity of findings as the observer has increased insight into the lives of participants
• Participant observations can result in a lack of objectivity if they start to identify too strongly with the participants e.g. 'going native'