Observational Techniques:
Naturalistic –
Real life setting
Pros: high external validity
Cons: low control over extraneous variables
Controlled –
Variables are altered
Pros: high control over all variables
Cons: low external validity
Overt –
Participants know/are aware that they are being observed
Pros: ethical
Cons: demand characteristics
Covert –
Participants don’t know/are not aware that they are being observed
Pros: no demand characteristics
Cons: unethical
Observational Design:
Participant –
Observer joins the group
Pros: build insight, rapport
Cons: researcher bias
Non-participant –
Observer is outside the group
Pros: objectivity
Cons: may lose details/insights
Naturalistic –
Real life setting
Pros: high external validity
Cons: low control over extraneous variables
Controlled –
Variables are altered
Pros: high control over all variables
Cons: low external validity
Overt –
Participants know/are aware that they are being observed
Pros: ethical
Cons: demand characteristics
Covert –
Participants don’t know/are not aware that they are being observed
Pros: no demand characteristics
Cons: unethical
Observational Design:
Participant –
Observer joins the group
Pros: build insight, rapport
Cons: researcher bias
Non-participant –
Observer is outside the group
Pros: objectivity
Cons: may lose details/insights
