Types of observation

• Define a naturalistic observation

  Behaviour is observed in an everyday setting in which the target behaviour would normally occur.
• Define controlled observation

  Behaviour is observed under controlled conditions where certain variables have been regulated by the researcher
• Define covert observation

  Observing people WITHOUT their knowledge or consent
• Define overt observation

  Observing people WITH their knowledge and consent
• Define participant observation

  Researcher becomes a member of the group they are observing
• Define non-participant observation

  The researcher remains outside of the group they are observing
• State one advantage of using a naturalistic observation

  High ecological validity (only if covert) - gives realistic picture of behaviour as it's being observed in a context where it would normally occur
• State two disadvantages of using a naturalistic observation

  1. hard to replicate

  2. uncontrolled extraneous variables
• State two advantages of using a controlled observation

  1. easy to replicate

  2. can focus on particular aspects of behaviour
• State one disadvantage of using a controlled observation

  Low ecological validity - findings cannot be easily applied to real life settings
• State one advantage of using a covert observation

  Reduces likelihood of demand characteristics which increases validity of results
• State one disadvantage of using a covert observation

  Ethical issues - cannot get informed consent prior to observation
• State one advantage of using an overt observation

  More ethically acceptable
• State one disadvantage of using an overt observation


  Demand characteristics - ptpts are aware they're being studied and so may change behaviour which reduces validity of results
• State one advantage of participant observations

  Increased insight from the 'inside' into the lives of people being studied that may not otherwise have been gained
• State one disadvantage of a participant observation

  Researcher may closely identify with those they're observing and lose objectivity = going 'native' -> when the line between being a researcher and being a participant is blurred
• State one advantage of using a non-participant observation

  More likely to be objective as not part of the group they are observing
• State one disadvantage of using a non-participant observation

  May lose the valuable insight gained as too far removed from the people and behaviour they are studying
• What is meant by the term going native

  The line between participants & research becomes blurred
• What is one way of dealing with the ethical issues of consent in a covert observation?

  Seek retrospective consent - get participants consent after the covert observation