Observations

• An observation is the precise measurement of naturally occurring behaviours 
• The first thing researchers must do to making an observation is to decide when and how to make the observation
• Event sampling = the observer systematically and continuously records every instance of a particular behaviour that occurs – these fit into predetermined operationalised categories of behaviours to ensure they are measurable
• Strengths of event sampling = reduces the number of observations by using an objective means of sampling, observers can be trained to ensure that all are aware of what is involved in each category, observers results can be easily correlated to check for consistency, 
• Weaknesses of event sampling = having predetermined categories means that some behaviour maybe missed and therefore may not be representative
• time sampling = the observer decides on a time interval and at each time interval the observer notes any behaviours that are being displayed by the target individual at that fixed point in time
• Strengths of time sampling = useful when behaviour to-be recorded only happens occasionally, often useful when carrying out pilot studies to allow specific categories to be drawn from it for use in later research, often allows for detailed information to be obtained
• Weaknesses of time sampling = an observer may miss something if too many things are happening at once, possibility of observer bias
• time sampling = Often done in a table or another coding system.
• Strengths of time sampling = quick, easy to do, easy to compare., quantitative data., can be analysed easily 
• Weakness of time sampling= Other details may be missed, no phenomenological perspective
• unstructured observations

  • The researcher records all relevant behaviour but has no system.

  Often gone if they're observing something knew or unpredictable behaviours.
• Strengths of unstructured observations = could record everything, more detailed Qualitative, greater, no missed behaviours
• Weaknesses of unstructured observations = may miss details while writing, hard to compare.
• naturalistic observations = Involves recording of spontaneously occurring behaviours in the participants. Own natural environment
• Strengths of naturalistic observations = real life behaviour is being studied without the manipulation of Variables. This means it has high ecological validity 
• Weaknesses of naturalistic observations = The lack of control means that it would be difficult to replicate and cause and effect cannot be established