Observation Techniques

The Specification says - 

Observational techniques. Types of observation: naturalistic and controlled observation; covert and overt observation; patricipant and non-participant observation.

• The experimental technique may not always provide the most suitable way to study a behaviour. There are a number of non-experimental methods available to psychologists, one of which is obervation.
• On this spread we consider the different types of obersavtion method, as well as the strengths and limitations of each.

Key Terms - 

NATURALISTIC observation- Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.

CONTROLLED observation- Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment, i.e. one where some variables are managed.

COVERT obersavtion- Ppts' behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.

OVERT observation- Ppts' behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent.

PARTICIPANT observation- The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behvaiour he/she is watching and recording.

NON-PARTICIPANT- The researcher remains outside of the group whose behvaiour he/she is watching and recording.

TYPES OF OBERVATION . . . 

• Non-experimental
• Provides a way of seeing what people do without having to ask them.
• Allow researchers to study observable behaviour within a natural or controlled system
• Allows reseracher the flexability to study more complex interactions between variables in more a natural way.
• Often used within an experiment as a way,for example, of assessing the dependent variable

Naturalistic and controlled observations- 

Naturalistic observations... 

• Take place in the setting or context where the target behaviour would usually occur
• All aspects of the environment are free to vary
• Example - Wouldn't make sense to study how seniour management and employees in a particular factory interact by dragging the whole of the workforce into an artificial lab setting.

Contolled observation . . .

• This may be prefered to contorl certain aspects of the research 
• Example - Mary Ainsworth made…