Observations

• Researcher will observe behaviour of a sample and look for patterns. Like all non-experimental methods, in an observation we cannot draw cause and effect relationships.
• Used in psychological research in one of two ways, a method or a technique.
• Observations can be understood about by considering its four main features:

  • The settings: Naturalistic v controlled
  • The data: Structured v unstructured
  • The participants: Overt v covert
  • The observers: Participant v nonparticipant