Observations and Self Report

• Unstructured:

  • Consists of continuous recording where the researcher writes everything they see during the observation.
  • Strength:
  • More richness and depth of detail.
  • Weakness:
  • Produces qualitative data which is more difficult to record and analyse.
  • Greater risk of observer bias.
• Covert Observations:

  • When the researcher pretends to be ordinary and a member of the group.
  • They observe in secret.
  • There could the ethical issues to do with deception.
• Covert Observations AO3:

  • Strength:
  • Natural behaviour is recorded so it has high internal validity.
  • Removes participant reactivity.
  • Weakness:
  • Ethical issues as no informed consent are given.
  • Invasion of privacy.
• Overt Observations:

  • When the researcher tells the group that they are conducting research.
  • Less ethical issues and they are truthful.
• Overt Observations AO3:

  • Strength:
  • Ethically acceptable as informed consent is given.
  • Weakness:
  • More unnatural behaviour.
  • Demand Characteristics.
• Controlled Observations:

  • Behaviour is observed under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Controlled Observations AO3:

  • Strength:
  • Researcher can focus on a particular aspect of behaviour.
  • Easy replication.
  • Weakness:
  • Unnatural behaviour.
  • Low mundane realism so low ecological validity.
• Natural Observations:

  • Spontaneous behaviour is recorded in a natural environment
• Natural Observations AO3:

  • Strength:
  • High ecological validity
  • High external validity as it is done in a natural environment.
  • Weakness:
  • Low ecological validity if the participants became aware that they are being watched.
  • Replication can be difficult.
• Participant Observations:

  • The observer has direct contact with the group of people they observe.
• Participant Observations AO3:

  • Strength:
  • Can be more insightful which increases the validity of the findings.
  • Weakness:
  • Behaviour may change is participants find out that they are being watched.
  • Researcher may lose objectivity as they may start to identify with the participants.
• Non-Participant:

  • The researcher does not have direct contact with the group of people they are observing.
• Non-Participant AO3:

  • Strength:
  • Researcher can be more objective as they are less likely to identify with participants as they are not involved in the group.
  • Weakness:
  • Open to observer bias such as stereotypes.
  • Researcher may lose some valuable insight.