Observations

• A controlled observation is in a controlled/artificial environment and set up for the purpose of the study.

  :) high control over extraneous variables due to artificial setting so there is increased internal validity.

  :( low ecological validity so we cannot generalise to real life making the study less useful.
• A naturalistic observation is in the natural setting for participants and focuses on natural behaviour.

  :) high ecological validity so behaviour is more natural and generalisable to real life making it more useful.

  :( there is a lack of control over the environment which decreases the internal validity.
• In a participant observation the observer becomes part of the situation.

  :) allows for more detailed accounts so we are likely to get accurate data. More insight makes the observation more useful.

  :( hard to remain hidden due to the observer being involved which could lead to demand characteristics/SDB which reduces internal validity.
• In a non participant observation the observer watched the participants externally.

  :) reduces researcher effects as they are not within the participants reducing the risk of demand characteristics increasing internal validity.

  :( observer may miss vital information as they may have obstructed views which decreases internal validity.
• In an overt observation the participants are aware that they are being observed.

  :) more ethical as you can gain informed consent and there is no deception. Being ethical improves the reputation of psychology.

  :( causes demand characteristics or SDB as participants know they are being observed this decreases internal validity.
• In a covert observation participants do not know they are being observed.

  :) reduces chance for demand characteristics as they do not know they are being watched increasing internal validity.

  :( difficult to remain hidden as the participants may realise they are being watched and become suspicious.
• A structured observation is when you use behavioural categories to keep track of behaviour.

  :) produces quantitative data which makes it easier to establish inter-rater reliability and increases external reliability as we can compare and analyse the data.

  :( limited view of behaviour due to the categories decreasing internal validity.
• An unstructured observation is when observers take field notes about any relevant behaviours shown by the participants.

  :) More insight into behaviour as it collects qualitative data.

  :( difficult to check for consistency and establish inter-rater reliability.
• Time sampling is when you observe the participants over certain time periods.

  :) reduces researcher fatigue so unlikely to miss behaviours when they are observing.

  :( potentially miss crucial behaviour that occurs outside of the time periods of observation, reducing internal validity.
• Event sampling is when you observe the participants over the entire time.

  :) less likely to miss behaviours as it is continuously observed.

  :( may experience researcher fatigue due to the long stretch of observations.