Designing psychological research: 11.1.16 observation

The idea

Observation involves watching and recording participants' behaviour in a specific setting. Observations can be naturalistic (in a real-world environment) or controlled (in a structured environment like a lab). They can also be participant (the researcher joins the group) or non-participant (the researcher observes from a distance), and overt (participants know they are being watched) or covert (participants are unaware). Researchers use behavioural categories and tally charts to systematically record data. Naturalistic observations offer high ecological validity but lack control over extraneous variables. Covert observations reduce demand characteristics but raise ethical issues regarding informed consent.

What earns the marks

• Distinguish between naturalistic observations in real-world settings and controlled observations in structured environments.
• Differentiate between participant and non-participant roles, as well as overt and covert observational designs.
• Explain the use of specific, observable behavioural categories and tally charts to systematically record quantitative data.
• Evaluate observational methods in terms of ecological validity, demand characteristics, and ethical considerations such as informed consent.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing naturalistic observations with natural experiments.

  Put it right: Naturalistic observations only record behaviour without an independent variable, whereas natural experiments have a naturally occurring independent variable.

• Assuming covert observations are always unethical.

  Put it right: Covert observations can be ethical if conducted in public places where people would normally expect to be observed by strangers.

• Failing to operationalise behavioural categories accurately.

  Put it right: Behavioural categories must be specific, observable, and mutually exclusive, rather than vague or overlapping descriptions.

Exam tips

• Be prepared to design an observation, ensuring you clearly define the specific behavioural categories you would use to record data.
• When discussing covert observations, always link the reduction in demand characteristics to the ethical issue of lacking informed consent.
• Use the terms participant and non-participant correctly to describe the researcher's level of involvement, not the people being observed.