observational techniques

• Observational techniques

  A way of seeing or listening to what people do without having to ask them. Observation is often used within an experiment as a way of assessing the DV.

  1. Strength - capture what you do. People often act differently from how they say they will in self report methods. Observations are useful as they give insight into spontaneous behaviour.
  2. Limitation - Risk of observer bias. Researcher's interpretation of the situation may be affected by expectations. Bias can be reduced using more than one observer.
• Naturalistic

  Takes place where the target behaviour would normally occur

  1. Strength - High external validity. In a natural context , behaviour is likely to be more spontaneous. More generalisable to everyday life.
  2. Limitation - Low control. There may be uncontrolled CVs/EVs which makes it more difficult to detect patterns.
• Controlled

  Some control/manipulation of variables including control of CVs/EVs

  1. Strength - can be replicated. More easily repeated due to standardised procedures. Findings can be checked to see if they occur again.
  2. Limitation - May have low external validity. Behaviour may be contrived as a result of the setting. Findings cannot be applied to everyday experience.
• Covert

  Participants are unaware they are being studied

  1. Strength - Demand characteristics reduced. Participants do not know they are being watched so their behaviour will be more natural. This increases the internal validity of the findings.
  2. Limitation - Ethically questionable. People may not want behaviour recorded, even in public. Participants' right to privacy may be affected.
• Overt

  Participants are aware of being studied

  1. Strength - More ethically acceptable. Participants have given their consent to be studied. They have the right to withdraw if they wish.
  2. Limitation - Demand characteristics. Knowledge of being studied influences behaviour. Reduces the internal validity of the findings.
• Participant observation

  Researcher becomes part of group they are studying

  1. Strength - can lead to greater insight. Research experiences the situation as the participants do. This enhances the external validity of the findings.
  2. Limitation - possible loss of objectivity. The researcher may identify too strongly with those they are studying. This threatens the objectivity and internal validity of the findings.
• Non-participant observation

  Researcher remains separate from the group they are studying

  1. Strength - more objective. Researcher maintains an objective distance so less chance of bias. May increase the internal validity of the findings.
  2. Limitation - Loss of insight. Researcher may be too far removed from those they are studying. May reduce the external validity of the findings.