Evaluating types of observation

Two of these observations are likely to have good ecological validity.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Covert observation

Informed consent cannot be sought before this one observation, leading to ethical issues.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Covert observation

This observation allows good control of situational extraneous variables.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Covert observation

This observation makes it easy for the researcher to seek informed consent.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Covert observation

The researcher is able to observe up-close many aspects of the participants’ behaviour, giving the research rich data.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Non-participant

Because these observations occur in everyday settings, there is an increased risk of situational EVs.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Non-participant

Distance between the researcher and the participants helps ensure the researcher maintains objectivity.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Non-participant

The artificial setting undermines the ecological validity as participants may behave unnaturally.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Non-participant

The researcher’s lack of proximity to the participants means they lose some insight into the lives of the participants.

• Controlled observation

• Naturalistic observation

• Participant observation

• Overt observation

• Non-participant