Observational technique

• Observational technique:

  describe and evaluate participant observation

  Researcher becomes part of the group

  + increased insight

  + high external validity

  ~ may become attached

  ~ subjective
• Observational technique:

  describe and evaluate non-participant observation


  researcher separate from the group, records behaviour

  + maintains psychological distance

  + objective

  ~ loss of valuable insight
• Observational technique:

  describe and evaluate covert observation


  participants unaware their behaviour is focus of a study

  + no demand characteristics

  + high internal validity

  ~ ethical issues

  ~ hard to replicate
• Observational technique:

  describe and evaluate overt observation

  Participants aware, given informed consent

  + more ethically acceptable

  + more replicable

  ~ demand characteristic
• Observational technique:

  describe and evaluate controlled observation

  Control over EVs to observe effects

  + EVs controlled

  + easy to replicate

  ~ cannot be applied to everyday life

  ~ demand characteristics
• Observational technique:

  describe and evaluate Naturalistic observations

  In a natural setting where behaviour would normally occur

  + high external validity

  + generalisable to everyday

  ~ hard to replicate

  ~ EVs