types of observation

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  • Types of Obervation
    • Naturalistic Observation
      • Take place where target behaviour would usually occur
      • All aspects of environment are free to vary
      • Have high external validity so can often be generalised to everyday life
      • Replication is difficult due to the lack of control
      • May also be many uncontrolled extraneous variables - more difficult to judge any patterns of behaviour
    • Controlled Observation
      • Watching & recording behaviour within a structured environment
      • There is some control over variables, including manipulating variables to observer effects
    • Covert Observation
      • Ppts behaviour is watched & recorded without their knowledge or consent
      • Removes problem of participant reactivity & ensures behaviour observed is natural
        • Increases validity
      • Ethics of these studies may be questioned as people may not wish to have their behaviour noted down
    • Overt Observation
      • Ppts behaviour is watched & recorded with their knowledge & consent
      • More ethically acceptable
      • Knowledge of being watched may influence ppt behaviour

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