Observational techniques

• Naturalistic observation

  • Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which It would occur
  • For example, observing students in a college
  • High external validity
  • Difficult to replicate
  • Extraneous variables
• Controlled observation

  • Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment
  • For example, observing participants within a lab
  • Lacks external validity
  • Easily replicated
  • No extraneous variables
• Covert observation

  • Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge
  • For example, behind a two-way mirror
  • Unethical - no given consent
  • No demand characteristics
  • High internal validity
• Overt observation

  • Participants‘ behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent
  • For example, a researcher stood at the back of a classroom
  • Demand characteristics
  • Low internal validity
  • Informed consent given
• Participant observation

  • The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording
  • For example, a researcher infiltrating a gang
  • Increased external validity
  • Researcher may lose objectivity
  • Researcher bias
• Non-participant observation

  • The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording
  • For example, a teacher standing at the back of a classroom
  • Less danger of losing objectivity
  • Less prone to demand characteristics
  • Less researcher bias