Observational Technique
- Created by: givemeastar
- Created on: 12-02-18 16:12
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- Observational Techniques
- Naturalistic Observations
- The observation of behaviour in a natural setting ( where the behaviour normally occurs)
- + Behaviour that is observed is natural so high external validity
- - There is not control over the situation so harder to establish cause-and-effect relationship.
- Controlled Observations
- Where the researcher tries to control certain variables and pp's are aware they're being observed (demand characteristic)
- + Allows for control over extraneous/independent variables.
- - Artificial setting may produce unnatural behaviour and lower external validity
- Overt Observation
- Pp's know they're being watched or recorded.
- Easy for pp's to work out aim of the study and act due to demand characteristics
- + Ethically sound as pp's know they're being watched and the purpose of the study
- Covert Observations
- Pp's not aware they're being observed as researcher doesn't reveal themself
- + Less likelihood of demand characteristics so behaviour represents real life
- - Ethical issues as pp's are not aware they're being observed
- Participant Observations
- Researcher takes part of the group or situation being observed.
- + Observer is more likely to get a true understanding of the behaviour so higher validity
- - Expectations of the researcher can affect results are it's unlikely the researcher will remain objective
- Non-participant Observation
- Behaviour is recorded at a distance so researcher isn't involved in what they're observing.
- +Likely researcher will remain objective because they're not part of the study
- - Data lacks true understanding and insight into the behaviour so less validity
- Naturalistic Observations
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