Observational techniques

• What are the six types of observation?

  Naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant, non-participant
• What do observations allow researchers to do?

  Study more complex interactions between variables in a natural or controlled setting
• What is a naturalistic observation?

  In the setting or context where the target behaviour would occur
• In a controlled observation there is some control over variables
• What is a controlled observation?

  Control over some aspects of the research situation
• What is a covert observation?

  Participants' behaviour recorded in secret; participants' unaware
• What is an overt observation?

  Participants aware behaviour is being observed
• What is a participant observation?

  Observer apart of the group they're observing
• What is a non-participant observation?

  Observer remains separate from the group they're observing which is more objective
• Why might an observer not use a non-participant observation?

  May be impractical/impossible to join a group
• Strengths: Observations

  Special insight into behaviour
• Limitations: Observations

  Observer bias

  Doesn't demonstrate causal relationships
• Strengths: Naturalistic observations

  High external validity - findings can be generalised
• Limitations: Naturalistic

  Replication difficult

  Confounding/extraneous variables
• Strength: Controlled

  Confounding/extraneous variables less of a problem
• Limitation: Controlled

  Not generalisable
• Strength: Covert

  No demand characteristics - increases internal validity
• Limitation: Covert

  Ethical issues - confidentiality, informed consent
• Strength: Overt

  Ethically acceptable
• Limitation: Overt

  Demand characteristics
• Strength: Participant

  Increased insight - external validity
• Limitation: Participant

  Loss of objectivity - observer identifies w/ group too closely
• Strength: Non-participant

  Objective distance
• Limitation: Non-participant

  Less of an insight