observations

Cards (13)

  • OBSERVATIONS = A non-experimental method of investigation, the researcher simply observes behaviour and looks for patterns
  • naturallistic = behaviour is studied in a normal situation, no manipulations
  • controlled = some variables are controlled by the researcher, reducing the naturalness of the behaviour being studied
  • structured = the researcher has a coding system that is used to record behaviour
  • unstructured = researcher will record all relevant behaviour but has no systematic structure
  • participant = the observer is involved with the study whilst also observing the participants
  • non participant = researcher simply observes the activities of the participants without taking part in them
  • overt = participants know they are being observed
  • covert = participants are unaware that they are being observed
  • time sampling = recording behaviour at predetermined intervals
  • event sampling = recording every time a particular behaviour is observed
  • strengths
    • high inter rater reliability
    • higher ecological validity (except controlled observations)
    • higher validity than questionnaires as what people say is different to what they actually do
  • weaknesses
    • difficult to replicate
    • controlled + overt - lacks mundane realism
    • sampling bias - less generalisable
    • limited control over extraneous variables