Observational Techniques

• What are the types of observations mentioned?

  Naturalistic, controlled, overt, covert, participant, non-participant
• What is a key challenge researchers face in observations?

  Deciding what to look for in behavior
• What must behaviors of interest be in observational research?

  Clearly defined and operationalized
• How are behaviors counted in observational research?

  They are scored and counted up
• What are the methods of sampling in observational research?

  • Time sampling: behaviors noted within intervals
  • Event sampling: tallying behaviors over intervals
• What is naturalistic observation?

  Observation in a natural environment without interference
• What is a characteristic of controlled observation?

  More variables are controlled by the researcher
• What is overt observation?

  Participants are aware they are being observed
• What is participant observation?

  Observer is part of the group being studied
• What is a strength of observational methods?

  High validity in measuring behaviors
• What is a weakness of observational methods?

  Observer bias can affect results
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic and controlled observations?

  Strengths:

  • Realistic picture of behavior
  • High ecological validity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Little control in naturalistic settings
  • Can feel unnatural in controlled settings
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of participant and non-participant observation?

  Strengths:

  Participant- gives in sight on behaviour from the inside

  Non-participant - observers are more likely to be factual, as they aren’t part of the group being studied

  Weaknesses:

  Participant- ethical issues of participants awareness

  Non-participant- likely to be covert