Observational Techniques

• Controlled observation- behaviour of participants is studied in a controlled and structured environment by a researcher
• Strengths of controlled observation:

  • Replicable- increases reliability of results
  • High control of variables- increases internal validity
• Limitations of controlled observation:

  • Less ecological validity- less generalisable to other settings
  • Demand characteristics might occur- due to participants knowing they're part of a study
• Naturalistic observation- behaviour of participants is studied in it's natural environment, no intervention from researcher
• Strengths of naturalistic observation:

  • Less demand characteristics- pps are unaware they are part of a study
  • More ecological validity- behaviour is seen in it's normal environment
• Limitations of naturalistic observation:

  • Less control of variables- done in a less controlled environment
  • Lacks generalisability- results might only apply to a limited area
  • Ethical issues- pps might not consent to being observed
• Overt observation- participants are aware they are being observed, researcher takes note of behaviour
• Strengths of overt observation:

  • Ethical- pps are aware they are being studied
  • Relationship built between pps and researcher- pps might feel less reluctant to share detail and might behave naturally
• Limitations of overt observation:

  • Smaller sample size- takes longer to gather information
  • Less natural behaviour from participants- they are aware they are giving answers for a study
• Covert observation- participants are not aware that they are being researched, researcher's real identity and purpose is hidden
• Strengths of covert observation:

  • More natural behaviour- increases internal validity
  • Less demand characteristics- pps aren't aware they're being observed for a study
• Limitations of covert observation:

  • Ethical issues- pps may not consent to being a part of the study
  • Less reliable- can't be replicated since there is little to no structure
• Participant observation- researcher becomes a member of the environment and observes the behaviour of the participants
• Strengths of participant observation:

  • Qualitative data- provides detail, increases internal validity
  • Allows for direct observation- more detail
• Limitations of participant observation:

  • Demand characteristics- pps would act differently due to researcher being present
  • Low replicability- pps behaviour might change, which makes results less reliable
  • Researcher bias- researcher is with pps doing the task
• Non-participant observation- researcher observes participants behaviour without taking part in the activity
• Strengths of non-participant observation:

  • Less researcher bias- researcher isn't actively doing the same task
  • Replicable- pps are the only ones doing the tasks, reliable results
  • Allows more accurate results from observation- researcher can look out for more
• Limitations of non-participant observation:

  • Less control of variables- researcher doesn't interfere
• Children are not experimented on because of ethical issues- they cannot give informed consent, can't withdraw and aren't guaranteed protection from harm