types of observations

• observation means researcher watches or listens to participants engaging behaviour being studied
• observation is a non experimental method
• observations are often used in an experiment to measure the dependent variable
• structures observations are when system is used to organise observations in order to ensure it is objective and rigorous

  • 2 main ways to structure which is through behavioural categories and sampling procedures
• unstructured observations are where the researcher records all relevant behaviour but has no system - problem is that what is recorded may be what is most obvious or eye catching rather than important
• naturalistic observations are where the observer takes advantage of naturally occurring situation and watches without interfering
• naturalistic observation strength

  • high ecological validity
• naturalistic observation limitations

  • little control over what is happening - something unknown may be causing certain behaviour which observer cannot interfere with to understand further
• controlled observations are where some variables in the environment are regulated by the researcher
• controlled observations strength

  • high levels of control
• controlled observations limitation

  • lacks ecological validity
• covert observations are where individuals are unaware they are being observed
• covert observation strength

  • behaviour is more neutral/natural
• covert observation limitation

  • need to be aware of ethical issues around what is acceptable to observe
• overt observation is where those being observed are aware they are being observed
• overt observation strength

  • can make notes and dont have to rely on memory
• overt observation limitations

  • demand characteristics
  • difficult to repeat
• participant observation is where researcher is part of the group being observed
• participant observation strengths

  • may give greater insight that could not be gained otherwise
• participant observation limitation

  • participants are more likely to be overt (know they are being observed) - issues with participants awareness affecting results
  • if covert (dont know they are being observed) - then ethical issues
• non participant observations are where researchers watch behaviour from a distance and does not interact with those being observed
• non participant observation strength

  • more objective
• non participant observation limitations

  • demand characteristics?
  • overcome by covert observation (CCTV) but then raises ethical issues
• what are the different types of observations

  • naturalistic (naturally occurring situation)
  • controlled (variables are regulated by researcher)
  • covert (participants unaware of observed)
  • overt (participants are aware of observation)
  • participant (researcher is in the group being observed)
  • non participant (researcher does not interact)
• behavioural categories is the breaking down of behaviour being studied into set components
• behavioural categories are used when psychologists must decide which specific behaviours should be examined
• behavioural categories should be..

  • objective - researcher should not make inferences but just record explicit actions
  • covering all possible behaviours to avoid 'waste basket' category - behaviours dont fit to a category
  • mutually exclusive or specific meaning - should not have to mark two categories at one time
  • be simplistic so east to use by others and can be replicated
• event sampling is counting how many times a certain behaviour (event) occurs in target individual or group of individuals
• time sampling is recording behaviours in given time frame (e.g. every 2 minutes for 50 seconds see how many times they smile)