Observations

• Participant observation - takes part in the activities of the group whlist simultaneously observing them
• Participant observation AO3:

  Strengths - obtain in-depth data, in close proximity, unlikely to miss or overlook any behaviour

  Limitations - might influence the ppt beh, researcher might lose objectivity because become too involved, bias appears
• Non-participant observation - observer isn't a member of the group and simply records behaviour without taking part.
• Non-participant observation AO3:

  Strengths - reduces investigator effect as the researcher is not visible

  Limitation - due to lack of proximity overlook and missing some behaviour is possible
• Covert observation - the observer is watching group of people without them knowing
• Covert observation AO3:

  Strengths - investigator effects are unlikely, so ppt behaviour will be genuine

  Limitation - less ethical as ppts are unaware, no informed consent
• Overt observation - the ppt being observed know they are taking part in research
• Overt observation AO3:

  Strengths - possible to gain informed consent

  Limitation - behaviour can be distorted, investigator effects, ppt changes their behaviour, social desirability
• Controlled observation - the situation is controlled by the researcher and might even be conducted in a labv
• Controlled observation AO3:

  Strengths - can be replicated to check reliability, researcher is in control of variables

  Limitations - low ecological validity, artificial environment, cannot generalise results
• Naturalistic observation - researcher doesn't interfere with the situation, they let things happen naturally in natural environment
• Naturalistic observation AO3:

  Strengths - high ecological validity, without any outside interference of researcher

  Limitations - cannot be replicated to check reliability, no control of variables, extraneous variables affect results