Types of observations

• Observations


  allow researchers to investigate participant's behaviours without getting participant's actively involved
• naturalistic observation


  • behaviour is observed and recorded in a setting which naturally occurs
  • aspects are free to vary
  • researcher has no influence
• strengths of naturalistic observation

  High external validity- findings can be generalised as the environment naturally occurs
• limitations of naturalistic observation


  lack of control-observation can't be replicated
• Controlled observations


  -behaviour is observed and recorded in a structured environment

  -some control over variables

  -can control EVs
• Strengths of controlled observations

  easier to replicate due to control over variables
• limitations of controlled observations


  findings might not be generalisable to real life situations
• Covert observation


  -participant's behaviour is observed and recorded without their consent

  -researcher's identity=covered
• strengths of covert observation


  reduces demand characteristics- participant's behaviour is normal
• limitations of covert observation


  ethics- participants cannot provide informed consent
• Overt observation


  -participant's behaviour is observed and recorded with their consent

  -researcher's identity= open
• Strengths of overt observation


  gained informed consent- meets ethical guidelines
• limitations of overt observations

  increases demand characteristics
• participant observation


  -researcher becomes a member of the group they are observing

  -researcher gains a first hand account of behaviour they are observing
• strengths of participant observation

  increased insight into participant behaviour
• limitations of participant observation


  researcher may begin to identify with the group, becomes less objective (going native)
• Non-participant observation


  • researcher remains outside the group they are observing
  • record behaviour in a more objective manner
  • often done when it's impractical to be a part of the group being studied
• strengths of non-participant observation

  researcher remains objective
• Limitations of non-participant observation

  may lose valuable insight, too far removed from participants