observational technique

• What are the strengths of naturalistic observation

  1. Reduces demand characteristics
  2. High ecological validity and mundane realism
• What are the limitations of naturalistic observation

  1. Open to cofounding variables
  2. Hard to control extreaneous variables
• What are the strengths of controlled observation

  1. It reduces extraneous variables
  2. High internal validity
  3. Easy to replicate, more reliable
• What are the limitations of controlled observation

  1. Lacks mundane realism and low in ecological validity
  2. lead to demand characteristics
• What are the strengths of overt observation

  1. It involves informed consent, reduce ethical issues
  2. Easier to replicate
• What are the limitations of overt observation

  1. Can lead to demand characteristics and not producing natural behaviour
• What are the strengths of covert observation

  1. Reduces demand characteristics
  2. High in ecological validity and mundane realsim
• What are the limitaions of covert observation

  1. It does not invlove consent which can lead to ethical issues
  2. Hard to replicate due to ethics and privacy
• What are the strengths of participant observation

  1. Can gain first hand account with special insight
  2. Has mundane realism
  3. Reduces demand characteristics
• What are the limitations of particaipant observation

  1. May lead to investigator effects and bias
  2. More subjective
• What are the strengths of non-participant observation

  1. More objective
• What are the limitations of non-participant observation

  1. Lack of control meaning its hard to replicate, unreliable