observational techniques

• naturalistic observations

  behaviour is studied in a natural situation and everything is left as it normally is.

  the behaviour being observed is not interfere with.
• controlled observations

  some variables are controlled by the researcher, reducing the naturalness of behaviour.
• the hawthorne effect

  when individuals modify an aspect of behaviour in response to their awareness of being observed.
• covert observations

  behaviour may be recorded without obtaining the consent of the participant, the participants are unaware they are being studied, for this to be ethical the behaviour must be happening in public and would happen regardless.
• overt observations

  when participants know their behaviour is being observed and has given their full informed consent beforehand.
• participant oberservation

  when the observer becomes a part of the group they are studying, they take part in activities and observe from the middle of the setting.
• non-participant observation

  when the researcher remains separate from those they are studying and records the behaviour from more of an objective manner. it may be impossible to join a particular group.
• unstructured observation

  when the researcher writes down everything they observe.
• structured observation

  simplify the target behaviour that will become the main focus of the investigation.
• sampling techniques

  time sampling- observing for a specific amount of time so the frequency of behaviour is built up, may also record behaviour every 10 minuets,

  event sampling- concentrating on specific types of event each time they occur and counting how many times this behaviour occurs.