Observations

• Pilot study

  small scale trial on run of real investigation
• Controlled


  the same situation repeated with diff Ps
• Naturalistic


  • takes place in Ps natural setting
• Covert


  when Ps do not know they are being observed
• Overt


  when Ps know they are being observed
• Non participant


  the observer is not a part of the observation and actually partakes in study
• Strengths and weaknesses of observations

  • observer bias- minimise by standardised categories
  • high ecological validity
  • time and money
  • ethical issues surrounding consent for covert
  • controlled has high reliability - use inter rater reliability to assess
• Event sampling


  • counting every time behaviour occurs
  • allows all behaviour to be recorded
• Time sampling


  • counting by time
  • may miss behaviour