Observational Techniques

• How many types of observations are there?

  6 types
• What are the types of observations?

  • Naturalistic Observation
  • Controlled Observation
  • Overt Observation
  • Covert Observation
  • Participant Observation
  • Non-Participant Observation
• What is a strength of observations in research?

  Capturing what people actually do
• What limitation is associated with observer bias?

  Observer's expectations affect interpretations
• How can observer bias be reduced?

  Using more than one observer
• What is a limitation of observations regarding causal relationships?

  Cannot demonstrate causal relationships
• What is naturalistic observation?

  Watching behavior in its natural setting
• What is a strength of naturalistic observation?

  High external validity
• What is a limitation of naturalistic observation?

  Lack of control over variables
• What is controlled observation?

  Behavior observed in a structured environment
• What is a strength of controlled observation?

  High control over variables
• What is a limitation of controlled observation?

  Findings may not apply to everyday life
• What is covert observation?

  Behavior observed without knowledge or consent
• What is a strength of covert observation?

  Removes demand characteristics
• What is a limitation of covert observation?

  Ethical problems may arise
• What is overt observation?

  Behavior observed with knowledge and consent
• What is a strength of overt observation?

  More ethically acceptable
• What is a limitation of overt observation?

  May result in demand characteristics
• What is participant observation?

  Researcher joins the group being studied
• What is a strength of participant observation?

  Increased insight into participants' lives
• What is a limitation of participant observation?

  Losing objectivity as a researcher
• What is non-participant observation?

  Researcher remains outside the group
• What is a strength of non-participant observation?

  Maintains objective psychological distance
• What is a limitation of non-participant observation?

  May lose insight into participants' behavior
• How do participant and non-participant observations differ?

  Participant joins the group, non-participant does not
• How does controlled observation differ from naturalistic observation?

  Controlled has structured environment, naturalistic does not