observational design

• name the four different types of observations

  • naturalistic
  • controlled
  • covert
  • overt
• what is a naturalistic and controlled observation?

  • naturalistic- everything has been left as it is naturally- researcher doesn't interfere in any way with what is happening. Pps not likely to know they are being studied
  • controlled- some variables in the environment are regulated by the researcher, pps likely to know they are being studied
• what are overt and covert observations?

  • overt- in both naturalistic or controlled observations pps are likely to know they are being observed, may have an effect on pp behaviour. Experimenters may use one way mirrors or remain hidden to reduce their influence on the study
  • covert- pps don't have any knowledge of being observed in either natural experiment or controlled
• what are participant and non-participant observations?

  • participant- observer is part of the group being observed. Observer is a pp unknown to the other pps, even in overt OR covert observations
  • non-pp- observer observes from a distance and doesn't interact with people being observed
• evaluation of naturalistic and controlled techniques?

  • 😊 in a naturalistic observation there's high ecological validity as it gives a realistic picture of spontaneous behaviour
  • 😊in a controlled observation the observer can focus on particular aspects of behaviour- control over certain variables
  • ☹️ naturalistic- little control over variables (extraneous or confounding)
  • ☹️ controlled- environment feels unnatural- so behaviour less natural
• evaluation of covert and overt observations?

  • 😊 covert- unaware of being watched, behaviour more natural
  • ☹️ overt- aware of being studied, can affect participants behaviour
  • ☹️ covert- ethical issues- may not be acceptable to observe private behaviours, lack of informed consent
  • ☹️ covert- cannot give consent, although can seek retrospective consent
• evaluation of pp and non-pp observation?

  • 😊 pp observation offers special insight into behaviour from the inside that may otherwise not be gained
  • 😊 non-pp observations- observers more likely to be objective because they are not part of the group being observed
  • ☹️ pp observation more likely to be overt and this causes issues with pp awareness
  • ☹️ non-pp observation more likely to be covert and this raises issues with ethics
• evaluation of observations in general?

  • 😊 high validity- observation of spontaneous behaviour
  • 😊 used to measure the DV in an experiment, so a fundamental way of gathering data
  • ☹️ observer bias- may not be objective because what people observe is distorted by expectations of what they are likely to or what they hope to see. Use more than one observer to reduce this risk
  • ☹️ only observable behaviour is recorded and not information about what people think or feel