Observation techniques

• An observation is a non-experimental method.
• Naturalistic observations take place in a real-world setting with no interference from the researcher.
• A controlled observation takes pace in a structured environment, where some variables are controlled. An example is Ainsworth’s Strange Situation study.
• Covert observation is when participants are unaware that they are being observed.

  • behaviour must be public and happening anyway for it to be ethical.
• Overt observations are when participants know their behaviour is being observed and have given their informed consent beforehand.
• Participant observations occur when the researcher becomes part of the group they are studying.
• Non-participant observations occur when the researcher remains separate ​from the participants and does not take part in the study, instead observes from a distance.
• A strength of naturalistic observations is that they often have high ecological (external) validity as they take place in a real-world setting.

  • This means that the research can easily be generalised to everyday life.
• A weakness of naturalistic observations is the lack of control over extraneous variables.

  • This makes it difficult to replicate the findings and establish a clear cause and effect.
• A strength of controlled observations is the high control of extraneous variables, making the findings easier to replicate.

  • This makes it easier to establish a cause and effect.
• A strength of participant observations is that the researcher experiences the situation being studied first-hand, giving them a more detailed insight into behaviour.

  • This may increase the validity of the findings.
• A weakness of participant observations is that the researcher may come to identify too strongly with the participants being studied and lose objectivity.

  • This leads to researcher bias, decreasing the validity of the findings.
• A strength of non-participant observations is that they allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from their participants.

  • This avoids researcher bias, increasing the validity of the research.
• A weakness of non-participant observations is that the findings may be less detailed and accurate as they may lose the valuable insight to be gained in a participant observation.
• A strength of covert observation is that demand characteristics are less of an issue, as participants are unaware they are being studied so behave naturally.

  • This increases the validity of the findings.
• A weakness of covert observation is that there are ethical issues.

  • This is because the participants have not given informed consent and may not wish to be observed.
• A strength of overt observations is that they are more ethical.

  • This is because participants give consent to be observed.
• A weakness of overt observations is the issue of demand characteristics.

  • If participants are aware they are being observed, they may change their behaviour leading to less valid results.