types of observation

• overt 


  • ppts are aware they are being studied
  • more ethical
  • demand characterstics
• covert


  • ppts arent aware they are being studied
  • internal validity (demand characteristics decrease)
  • ethically questionable (privacy may be affected)
• participant


  • researcher takes part in the study
  • greater understanding
  • loses objectivity
• non participant 


  • researcher remains seperate from the experiment
  • more objective
  • loss of insight as researcher is too far removed from the situation
• naturalistic


  • the behaviour being studied is not interfered with and takes place where the behaviour naturally would
  • high external validity
  • low control
• controlled 


  • variables kept controlled
  • can be replicated (standardised procedures)
  • behaviour may be artificial due to setting
• evaluating observational research - validity 


  • external - higher ecological validity, population validity may be a problem
  • internal - observer bias (where someone's observations are influenced by their expectations/opinions) decrease internal validity
• inter observer reliability


  • observations should be consistent having at least 2 observers producing the same record with an 80% agreement (0.80 co efficient)
  • they should observe the same thing at the same time but record independently
• ethical issues

  • informed consent - some studies may be an invasion of privacy
  • the use of one way mirrors involves deception