Observations

OBSERVATIONS

Observational Techniques

Naturalistic Observation - everything is left as it is normally, in an everyday setting.

Controlled Observation - researcher regulates aspects of the environment.

Overt Observation - participants are aware that they are being observed, whereas they aren't aware during a covert observation (but may be informed afterwards)

Participant Observation - observer is part of group being observed, whereas in non-participant observation, observer watches from a psychological and probably physical distance.

Evaluation

Observations - show what people actually do, although they don't provide insight into what people think.

Observer bias - can be improved by having more than 1 observer, and checking inter-observer reliability.

Naturalistic Observation - high in ecological validity, especially when participants are unaware of observations.

Controlled Observation - useful for focusing on particular behaviours.

Covert Observation - participants are unaware, therefore more natural, but there are ethical issues.

Participant Observation - may provide better insights.

Non-participant Observation - more objective.

Observational Design

Unstructured Observations - observer records everything.

Structured Observations - a system is used.

Behavioural Categories - target behaviour divided into individual behaviours that can be clearly identified (e.g. smile showing teeth, rather than be happy)

Sampling Procedures - record events (event sampling) or record behavioural categories at time intervals (time sampling)

Evaluation

Unstructured Observations - useful when observing behaviour for the first time.

Structured observations - enable observer to be more objective, rather than recording what is most eye-catching or being overwhelmed by too much information.