Iris Pene Year 12 Psychology

1. Participant Observation 2. Non – participant Observation 3. Naturalistic 4. Overt observation 5. Covert Observation

 The researcher enters the field and acts as the instrument of data collection  Create a close relationship with the participants though involvement with participants in the field “Natural behaviour in it’s natural habitat”

 Most accurate way to study socially sensitive issues  The researcher is able to have a more holistic approach on the situation  The researcher learns to understand the situation from the perception of a participant(avoids bias)

 Time consuming  Highly Invasive  Researcher may lose objectivity  Other participants neglecting the researcher

 The researcher is not participant in the field with other participants  Set in a naturalistic setting where the researcher records natural behaviour  The participants are aware of being studied but are not aware of the aspect in which the researcher is studying

 Easier to collect data. The researcher is solely collecting data instead of interacting  Observes natural behaviour  Useful for observations on small groups  Observational data can be cross checked with other observers for more credibility

 Presence of the researcher may affect behaviour  Deception may be used (to avoid alter in behaviour)  Considered artificially (natural behaviour will not occur in laboratory observations)  Analysis can be expensive

 Researchers observe how people or animals behave  Mostly take place in a natural setting but can take place in a laboratory setting  Researcher spends tie becoming familiar with participants natural environment

 Higher ecological validity (natural behaviour in natural habitat)  Controlled laboratory and data from other qualitative methods can be included  Data can be cross checked with others

 Observation of field, data and participants are very time consuming and expensive

 Overt – Participants are aware of being observed  Covert – Participants unaware of being observed  Researcher will decided whether to be either covert or overt depending on the situation of the research.

Overt  Participants are informed of the topic and can give more information  Interviewed data can be used together Covert  Gives a possibility to study vital groups (terrorists, gangs)  Limited or no change in behaviour

Overt  Researcher becomes attached  Researchers relationship with participants causes bias Covert  Participants did not give consent  Dangerous if participants find out about the study

Involves me entering a “Binge drinking party” (Participants environment) Acting as the instrument of collecting data Creating close relationship amongst the underage teenagers at the party for study Participants are unaware of being observed

“The average age that underage drinkers ages 12 to 20 begin to drink is 16.1 years old”  Target population for this investigation are on 16 year old males and females nking.html

 Underage teenage males will consume more alcohol than underage teenage girls

Strengths  Able to record participants in natural environment  Limited or no change in behaviour of participants Limitations  No consent given  Researcher might lose objective of the study

 Debrief  Results confidential  Ambulance on standby  This research is important and results could possibly help find a resolution for underage binge drinking

Hopkins, J. ( 2010). Prevalence of Underage Drinking. Available: alence_of_underage_drinking.html. Last accessed 24th Feb Hannibal, J (2012). Psychology. Great Britian: Bell and Bain Ltd. p