observational techniques

• what is the observational method?

  • non experimental method used in psychology
  • provides a way of seeing what participants are doing without self-report
  • allows researcher to study behaviours with different environments
• what is a naturalistic observation?

  • researcher watches and observes behaviour in the setting where it would normally take place
  • all aspects of environment free to vary
• what are the strengths of a naturalistic observation?

  • high external validity - take place in everyday life
  • high ecological validity - behaviour studied in environment where it naturally occurs
• what are the limitations of a naturalistic observation?

  • low ecological validity if participants become aware they are being watched
  • replication can be difficult
  • may be more uncontrolled confounding/ extraneous variables
• what is a controlled observation?

  • researcher watches and records behaviour in controlled setting
  • eg: laboratory setting
• what are the strengths of a controlled observation?

  • researcher able to focus on particular aspect of behaviour
  • more control over extraneous and confounding variables
  • easier to replicate
• what are the limitations of a controlled observation?

  • low external validity - may produce findings that are hard to apply to everyday life
  • low mundane realism, low ecological validity
  • demand characteristics presented
• what is a covert observation?

  • participant unaware their behaviour is being watched and recorded
• what are the strengths of a covert observation?

  • natural behaviour recorded- high internal validity
  • removes demand characteristics
• what are the limitations of a covert observation?

  • seen as fairly unethical - participant's privacy invaded
  • no informed consent
• what is an overt observation?

  • participants know their behaviour is being observed/ recorded
  • have given informed consent beforehand
• what are the strengths of an overt observation?

  • ethically acceptable - consent given
• what are the limitations of an overt explanation?

  • participants more likely to behave unnaturally
  • demand characteristics - reduces validity of findings
• what is a participant observation?

  • researcher who is observing is part of the group that is being observed
• what are the strengths of a participant observation?

  • researcher experiences same as participants - can increase external validity
• what are the limitations of a participant explanation?

  • researcher may start to identify too strongly with participants - loss of objectivity
  • behaviour may change if participants become aware that they are being watched
• what is a non participant observation?

  • researcher observes from distance
  • not part of group that is being observed
• what are the strengths of a non participant observation?

  • researcher can maintain objectivity - less likely to identify with participants if observing externally
• what are the limitations of a non participant observation?

  • open to observer bias
  • researcher may lose valuable insight they would have gained in ppt observation