Observations

• Naturalistic​ (Unstructured)​

  Observation takes place without a predetermined plan or characteristics to look for, in advance​

  The researcher records all relevant behaviour without a system​

  Doesn’t interfere with ppants in the group being observed​
• :) Eval of unstructured

  :) Eco Validity – natural setting of ppants so naturally occurring​​

  :) Rich in depth details
• :( Eval of unstructured

  :( Not replicable – no standardised procedure so difficult to replicate. T/f cant be reproduced to have consistent findings making it unreliable​

  :( Observer bias
• Controlled​ (Structured)​

  Pre-defined plan​

  May interfere​

  Behaviours recorded systematically​
• :) Structured

  :) Standardised proc – RELIABLE​

  :) Cause and effect
• :( Structured

  :( Eco validity​

  :( Mundane realism
• Participant​

  Observers are part of what they are observing, involved in the situation, activity or group​
• :) Participant

  :) Eco Validity​

  :) In-depth understanding (rapport)​
• :( Participant


  :( Researcher effect​

  :( Subjective (rapport)
• Non-participant​

  Researcher is not part of the group being observed, so doesn’t interact with ppants​

  Counts number of behaviours from afar so not to influence ppant behaviours​

  May write qualitative descriptions of ppant responses without being a ppant themselves​
• :) Non participant

  :) Objective analysis​

  :)Record data easily as not preoccupied interacting with ppants
• :( Non participant

  :( Researcher effect​

  :( Subjective
• Overt​

  The participants know the observation is taking place and they are aware of all aspects of the study​
• :) Overt

  :) Can obtain informed consent​

  :) Can ask q's to gain in-depth info - val
• :( Overt

  :( Demand Characteristics​

  :( Mundane realism
• Covert​

  The researcher is undercover and the ppants don’t know that theyre being observed until the study is complete​

  The researcher would count the numbers of behaviours from afar so that they can't influence them​

  The researcher can write down qualitative descriptions of ppants actions w out being a ppant themselves​

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• :) Covert

  :) No researcher effect – ppants wont change their behaviour based on researchers actions. T/f behaviour is naturally occurring​

  :) Objective analysis – researcher doesn’t interact with ppants so wont be influenced by them so will make objective observations T/f internal validity
• :( Covert

  :( No informed consent​

  :( Subjective/reasearcher effect