Observational Methods

• A naturalistic observation takes place in a setting or context where the target behaviour would usually occur. All aspects of the environment are free to vary. Sometimes it is important to control certain aspects of the research situation and therefore a control observation may be used. In a controlled observation, there are control over variables including manipulation of variables to observe effects and control over extraneous variables.
• One strength of a natural experiment is that they have high external validity so that it can be generalised to real life.
• One negative of a naturalistic observation is that replication can be difficult. There also may be uncontrolled extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge behaviour patterns
• One strength of controlled observation is that findings cannot be applied to real life settings. As well as this, extraneous variables may be less of a factor so replication of the observation becomes easier.
• Covert Observations are those where participants are unaware that they are being observed. Overt observations are when participants are aware and give informed consent.
• One strength of covert observation is that the participants don't know they are being observed which will mean the behaviour is more natural.
• One negative of a covert observation is that it is unethical as participants may not want there behaviour to be recorded.
• One positive of a overt observation is more ethically accepted than covert observation.
• One negative of a overt observation is that they are being observed which may affect there behaviour.
• A participant observation is when the researcher becomes part of the group that they are studying. A non-participant observation is when the researcher remains separate from those they are studying.
• One strength of participant observations is that the researcher can experience what they are studying which increases validity of the findings.
• One negative of participant observation is that the researcher may become to involved in the experiment and it will remove objecivity.
• One strength of a non participant observation allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from the participants.
• One weakness of a non-participant observation is that they may use valuable insight as they are not part of the group.