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Observations
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In an observation, the researcher watches and records behaviour rather than asking people about it.
Types of observation
Naturalistic observation: behaviour is watched in its natural setting, such as a playground (as in Charlton et al, 2000). Controlled observation: in a set-up environment, such as a lab (as in the final room of Bandura, Ross and Ross, 1961).
Overt: participants know they are being observed. Covert: participants do not know (hidden observer or camera).
Participant observation: the observer joins in the group. Non-participant: the observer stays separate.
Overt: participants know they are being observed. Covert: participants do not know (hidden observer or camera).
Participant observation: the observer joins in the group. Non-participant: the observer stays separate.
Recording behaviour
Observers use behaviour categories (a checklist), such as 'hits', 'kicks', 'shares', with clear definitions.
Time sampling: recording what happens at set intervals, such as every 5 seconds (Bandura et al) or every minute.
Event sampling: recording every time a specific behaviour happens.
Using two or more observers and comparing their records checks inter-rater reliability.
Time sampling: recording what happens at set intervals, such as every 5 seconds (Bandura et al) or every minute.
Event sampling: recording every time a specific behaviour happens.
Using two or more observers and comparing their records checks inter-rater reliability.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths: records what people actually do, not what they say they do. Naturalistic observations have high ecological validity. Covert observation avoids people changing their behaviour.
Weaknesses: observer bias: observers may see what they expect. Overt observation may change behaviour (people act differently when watched). Covert observation raises ethical issues (no informed consent). Observations show what happens but not why. Hard to control extraneous variables in natural settings.
Weaknesses: observer bias: observers may see what they expect. Overt observation may change behaviour (people act differently when watched). Covert observation raises ethical issues (no informed consent). Observations show what happens but not why. Hard to control extraneous variables in natural settings.
A researcher sits openly in a classroom recording how often students put their hands up. What type of observation is this?
- Students can see the researcher, so it is overt.
- The researcher is not joining in the lesson and it is a normal classroom, so it is non-participant and naturalistic.
Answer: An overt, non-participant, naturalistic observation.
Observations can be naturalistic or controlled, overt or covert, participant or non-participant. Behaviour categories, time or event sampling, and two observers improve reliability. Observations record real behaviour but may suffer from observer bias, ethical issues and cannot explain why behaviour happens.
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