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Observations (Covert observations (Evaluation (Strengths (Behaviour of…

- - - - Behaviour of participants is likely to be natural because they are unaware they are being observed, so there is validity
        
        Observation is easier because the observer can carry out the study without the participants watching the observer
    - - Often not ethical because there is no informed consent; if they aren't carried out in public, they go against ethical guidelines
        
        Observer can't be helped by ppts as they are unaware the study is taking place
- - - - Ethical as informed consent can be gained and right to withdraw can be given
        
        Observers can ask for help to set up the study (e.g where to observe from)
    - - Participants know they're being watched so might not act naturally, which doubts validity of the data
        
        Difficult to carry out as observers would be watched to see what they're doing
- - - - Situation is set up and is artificial in some ways, suggesting lack of ecological validity
        
        Possible the situation might be interpreted differently by different ppts so may not be as controlled as might be thought
    - - Set up and can be repeated, results can be compared between observations and reliability is likely
        
        Can take a long time for some behaviours to occur naturally
- - - - Ecological validity as the observation is in the natural setting, including not having a stranger present
        
        Participant observer likely to gather valid data because the setting is natural and what occurs is also natural
    - - Observer may be too involved to record all the data, partly because they can't step back from the situation and partly because they have another role
- - - - Observers are objective and stand back from the situation better than participant observers
        
        Can record data easier than participant observers as they have time to concentrate
        
        Can use time-sampling when tallying, which might be difficult when participating and observing together
    - - Observers likely to affect the situation by their presence
        
        Observers might miss relevance of some interactions or misunderstand things
        
        Participant observers have the advantage of shared understanding with the participants
- - - - Take place in the natural environment of the ppt = ecological validity
        
        Gathers in-depth data and detail (difficult using any other research method), data are often qualitative and rich, quantitative data can be detailed
    - - Subjectivity as the observer has to choose what to observe and what to record
        
        Observation is of one group or individual at one moment in time, so data are not generalisable to other people at different times