What is a structured observation?
A observation which uses pre determined behavioural categories
(quantitative data gathered)
What are the strengths and limitations of structured observations?
Strengths:
quantitative data, more reliable & improves validity
Limitations:
easily miss behaviours, quantitative data
What is the definition of a unstructured observation?
An observation which has no predetermined categories and every behaviour seen in recorded.
What are the strengths and limitations of a unstructured observation?
Strengths:
improves validity, qualitive data.
Limitations:
hard to record all behaviours, may be bias.
What makes an observation naturalistic?
Observing participants in their normal environment without interference from the researcher.
What is a participant observation?
An observation where the researcher is taking part in the situation in which they are observing.
What makes an observation controlled?
Participants are observed in an environment which is manipulated in some way.
What are the strengths and limitations of a participant observation?
Strengths:
increases ecological validity
Limitations:
decreases objectivity
What is a non-participant observation?
An observation where the researcher is not part of the situation they are observing.
What are the strengths and limitations of a non-participant observation?
Strength:
objective
Limitation:
low ecological validity
What is an overt observation?
An observation where the participants have been made aware that they are being observed.
What is a covert observation?
An observation where the participants are unaware that they are being observed.
