Research Methods (AQA A-Level Psychology): Flashcards
📚Flashcards
Practise the cards
10 cards from this deck
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Practise the cards
10 cards from this deck
Naturalistic observation
Naturalistic observation
Observing behaviour in natural environment without interference
Controlled observation
Controlled observation
Observing in structured setting where researcher manages variables
Covert observation
Covert observation
Observing without participants' awareness or permission
Overt observation
Overt observation
Observing with participants' knowledge and informed consent
Participant observation
Participant observation
Researcher joins and becomes part of the group being studied
Non-participant observation
Non-participant observation
Researcher maintains distance, observing from outside the group
Fundamental limitation of ALL observational methods
Fundamental limitation of ALL observational methods
Cannot establish cause and effect, only correlation
Strength of naturalistic observations
Strength of naturalistic observations
High external validity; findings apply to everyday life
Strength of covert observations
Strength of covert observations
Eliminate participant reactivity; capture natural behaviour
Weakness of participant observations
Weakness of participant observations
Risk losing objectivity; researcher may 'go native'
