Observational techniques

Question 1

Where does the neutralistic observation take place

Answer 1

• in a natural environment

Question 2

Outline a controlled observation

Answer 2

• in a controlled observation there is some control over variables/ extraneous variables

Question 3

What are covert observations

Answer 3

• when behaviour of ppts is observed in secret

Question 4

What are overt observations

Answer 4

• when behaviour is observed knowingly and when ppts have given informed consent

Question 5

What is a participant observation

Answer 5

• when the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and/or recording

Question 6

What is non-participant observation

Answer 6

• when the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and/or recording

Question 7

1-What is a strength of naturalistic and controlled observations
2-What is a limitation of naturalistic and controlled observations

Answer 7

• often have high external validity, findings can be generalised to real life
• replication is difficult, uncontrolled extraneous variables lower internal validity

Question 8

1-What is a strength of covert observations

2-What is a limitation of covert observations

Answer 8

• increases validity

- ethics are questionable

Question 9

1-What is a strength of overt observations

2-What is a limitation of overt observations

Answer 9

• ethics are fine

- decreases validity due to demand characteristics

Question 10

1-What is a strength of participant observations

2-What is a limitation of participant observations

Answer 10

• increased insight into ppts lives and validity

- risk of going native, causing researcher to lose objectivity

Question 11

1-What is a strength of non-participant observations

2-What is a limitation of non-participant observations

Answer 11

• all objective view, less danger of going native

- lose valuable insight