AO3 - Types of Observations

• One strength of controlled observations is that they are high in reliability as the environment is controlled and standardised (AO2 e.g. what has been controlled?) so the observation can be easily repeated to check for consistent results. Therefore, the controlled observation will gain more respect from other professionals and members of the public.
• One weakness of controlled observations is that they are low in ecological validity as the observation takes place in a controlled/artificial setting (AO2) which does not reflect real life. Therefore, it is more difficult to generalise the results beyond the setting of the observation which lowers the external validity of the research.
• Another weakness of controlled observations is that they are more prone to demand characteristics as participants are more likely to know they are being watched (AO2). Therefore they are likely to change their natural behaviour and may help or hinder the research based on clues given.
• One strength of naturalistic observations is that they are less prone to demand characteristics as people are less likely to know they are being watched (AO2 e.g. be specific about what natural setting they are in, where the target behaviour of AO2 would normally occur). Therefore they are unlikely to change their natural behaviour, and are less likely to help or hinder the research increasing the internal validity of the observation.
• Another strength of naturalistic observations is that they have high ecological validity as the observation takes place in a natural setting (AO2 e.g. what is the natural setting). Therefore it is easier to generalise the results (AO2 e.g. what are they researching?) beyond the setting of the observation to other similar settings increasing the external validity of the research.
• A weakness of naturalistic observations is that they are low in reliability as they are being observed in a natural environment (AO2 e.g. be specific about what natural setting they are in and what is not being controlled) therefore very difficult to replicate the observation in the exact same conditions to achieve consistent results.
• Another weakness of naturalistic observations is that they could create an ethical issue of lack of informed consent as people may not be aware they are being observed due to being observed in their natural setting (AO2 - setting). Therefore they have not given their consent to take part. If they become aware they may wish to withdraw their data from the study.
• A strength of overt observations is that they are more ethically appropriate than a covert observation as participants know they are being observed (AO2 e.g. how do you know the observation is overt?), so the participants can give consent for their data to be used.
• One weakness of overt observations is that they are more prone to demand characteristics as participants are more likely to know they are being watched (AO2 e.g. how do you know the research is overt?). Therefore participants are likely to change their natural behaviour and may help or hinder the research based on clues given off by the observer or environment. Therefore this could lower the internal validity.
• One strength of covert observations is that they are less prone to demand characteristics as people are less likely to know they are being watched (AO2 e.g. how do you know the research is covert?). Therefore they are unlikely to change their natural behaviour, and are less likely to help or hinder the research increasing the internal validity of the observation.
• One weakness of covert observations is that participants are unaware they are being studied (AO2 e.g. how do you know the research is covert?), raising ethical issues such as lack of informed consent and invasion of privacy that would need to be resolved. When participants are informed they may become upset and choose to withdraw their data.
• One strength of participant observations is that the observer can gain an in-depth understanding of the group’s behaviour as they are part of the group (AO2 e.g. how do you know?) and so will not miss important aspects e.g. feelings and motivations (AO2 - what specific behaviour are they observing?). Therefore, this increases the overall internal validity of the observation
• One weakness of participant observations is that there is increased chance of researcher bias as the observer is part of the group (AO2). This decreases the objectivity of the observation as the researcher’s own thoughts and behaviours may impact the observation and therefore lower the internal validity research.
• One strength of non-participant observations is that there is reduced chance of researcher bias as the observer is not part of the group (AO2). This increases the objectivity of the observation as the researcher’s own thoughts and behaviours are less likely to impact the observation and therefore the overall internal validity research.
• One weakness of non-participant observations is that the observer is less likely to gain an in-depth understanding of the group’s behaviour as they are not part of the group (AO2) and so may miss important aspects e.g. feelings and motivations (AO2 - what specific behaviour are they observing?). Therefore, this lowers the overall internal validity of the observation