observational technique
Cards (7)
- Observational techniques
- Observation = a way of seeing or listening to what people do without having to ask them
- Observation is often used within an experiment as a way of assessing the DV
- Evaluation of observations in general:
- Strength = capture what people do
- People often act differently from how they say they will in self-report methods
- Observations give an insight into spontaneous behaviour
- Limitation = risk of observer bias
- Researchers interpretation of the situation mat be affected by expectations (bias can reduced by using more than one observer)
- Observational techniques:
- Naturalistic
- Controlled
- Covert
- Overt
- Participant observation
- Non-participant observation
- naturalistic observation
- takes place where the target behaviour would normally occur
- Strength = high external validity
- In a natural context, behaviour is likely to be more spontaneous => more generalisable to everyday life
- Limitation = low control
- There may be uncontrolled CVs/EVs => makes it more difficult to detect patterns
- controlled observation
- some control/manipulation of variables including control of CVs/EVs
- Strength = can be replicated
- More easily repeated due to standardised procedures => findings can be checked to see if they occur again
- Limitation = low external validity
- Behaviour may be contrived as a result of the setting => findings cannot be applied to everyday life
- covert observation
- participants are unaware they are being studied
- strength = demand characteristics are reduced
- pps do not know they are being watched so their behaviour will be more natural => increases internal validity of the findings
- Limitation = ethically questionable
- People may not want behaviour to be recorded (even in public) => pps right to privacy may be affected
- overt observation
- Participants are aware of being studied
- Strength = more ethically acceptable
- pps have given their consent to being studied - they have the right to withdraw if they wish
- Limitation = demand characteristics
- Knowledge of being studied influences behaviour => reduces the internal validity of the findings
- participant observation
- researcher becomes part of group they are studying
- Strength = can lead to greater insight
- Researcher experiences the situation as the pps do - this enhances the external validity of the findings
- Limitation = possible loss of objectivity
- The researcher may identify too strongly with those they are studying - this threatens the objectivity and internal validity of the findings
- non-participant observation
- Researcher remains separate from the group they are studying
- Strength = more objective
- Researcher maintains an objective distance so less chance of bias - may increase the internal validity of the findings
- Limitation = loss of insight
- Researcher may be too far removed from those they are studying - may reduce the external validity of the findings