AO3

• Filmed observations

  • Caregiver-infant interactions are usually filmed in a laboratory
  • Other activity that might distract a baby can be controlled
  • Observations can be recorded and analysed later
  • More than one observer can record data and establish the inter-rater reliability of observations
  • Babies don't know they are being observed, so their behaviour does not change in response to observation
• The data collected in such research should have good reliability and validity
• Difficulty observing babies

  • Young babies lack co-ordination and much of their bodies are almost immobile
  • The movements being observed are just small hand movements or subtle changes in expression
  • It is difficult to be sure whether a baby is smiling or just passing wind
  • It is difficult to determine what is taking place from the baby's perspective
• We cannot be certain that the behaviours seen in caregiver-infant interactions have a special meaning