types of observation

• Identify six types of observation.

  Naturalistic

  Controlled

  Overt

  Covert

  Participant

  Non-Participant
• What is a naturalistic observation?

  Carried out in an unaltered setting in which the observer does not interfere in any way and merely observes the behaviour in question as it happens normally.
• What is a controlled observation?

  Conducted under strict conditions, such as in an observation room or laboratory setting where extraneous variables (such as time of day, noise, temperature and visual distractions) can be controlled to avoid interference with the behaviour being observed.
• What is a overt observation?

  An observational technique where the observations are 'open' and the participants know/are aware that they are being observed
• What is a covert observation?

  Consists of observing people without their knowledge; for example, using a one‐way mirror (covert non‐participant) or joining a group as a member (covert participant).
• What is a participant observation?

  The person who is conducting the observation also takes part in the activity being observed.
• What is a non-participant observation?

  The person who is conducting the observation does not participate in the activity being observed
• What is a strength of a naturalistic observation?

  Naturalistic observations are more realistic.
• Why is it a strength that naturalistic observations are more realistic?

  Therefore, naturalistic observations record behaviour that is higher in ecological validity.
• What is a weakness of a naturalistic observation?

  It is hard to replicate naturalistic observations.
• Why is it a weakness that naturalistic observations are harder to replicate?

  This means that research attempting to understand human behaviour using naturalistic observations often lack reliability
• What is a strength of a controlled observation?

  They can be replicated to check for reliability
• Why is it a strength that controlled observations can be replicated?

  This means that standardised procedures, the manipulation of the independent variable and control over extraneous variables can be repeated by the same, or different, researchers to assess the reliability.
• What is a weakness of a controlled observation?

  They have a lower level of external validity
• Why is it a weakness that controlled observations are less realistic?

  Participants' behaviour may alter in response meaning that the observation no longer represents real‐life occurrences causing the ecological validity of the findings to be questionable.
• What is a strength of an overt observation?

  It is often more ethical than the covert method
• Why is it a strength that overt observations are more ethical?

  The reputation of psychological research as being ethical is protected
• What is a weakness of an overt observation?

  More open to demand characteristics
• Why is it a weakness that overt observations are more likely to have demand characteristics?

  Therefore, authentic and natural behaviour is not being observed, thus reducing the internal validity of the observation because it is overt
• What is a strength of a covert observation?

  There is less opportunity for demand characteristics
• Why is a lack of demand characteristics a strength?

  This means that the participants' behaviour seen will be more natural and representative of their everyday behaviour
• What is a weakness of a covert observation?

  Can have ethical issues
• When is a cover observation acceptable?

  It is perfectly acceptable to observe human behaviour in a public place such as a shopping centre
• What should a researcher do in a covert observation?

  This means that an assessment is made by the investigator before the observation begins to ensure that no privacy laws are being violated
• What is a strength of a participant observation?

  The researcher can obtain in‐depth data
• Why is in-depth data a strength?

  This means that a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour can be achieved using this method of observation
• What is a weakness of a participant observation?

  The researcher may become too involved and lose objectivity
• What may happen in a participant observation?

  The mere presence of the investigator as a member within the group might influence the participants' behaviour in a way which was not intended
• What is a strength of a non-participant observation?

  More likely to be objective
• In a non-participant observation, the behaviour of the participants is more likely to be what?

  Behaviour observed is more likely to be representative of natural and unaltered human conduct
• What is a weakness of a non-participant observation?

  They are less likely to gain insights
• What will happen as a result of this lack of insight?

  This means that unique insights which contribute to the understanding of the human behaviour being observed will be overlooked because of not being involved personally