Observational Design

Observational Study Definition

The purpose of observational design is to allow researchers to understand how participants would ‘naturally’ react in certain situations. How they respond can help make accurate observations about the situation, a key concept in scientific research.

Observational Study: Psychology

An observational study in psychology occurs when experimenters choose to observe participants in a study to understand behaviours that occur naturally, usually without experimenter manipulation or intervention. There are several types of observational studies in psychology that researchers can use. These include controlled observations, naturalistic observations, and participant observations.

Fig. 1 - Observational studies include controlled, naturalistic, and participant observations.

The type of observational design depends on the setting and whether they will participate in the observed activities.

Characteristics of controlled observations are:

Researchers determine the conditions of the study, such as the time and duration of the study, the setting/environment, the standardised protocol used (a fixed procedure that is the same for all participants to prevent differences in conditions from affecting the results, which increases internal reliability), and the assignment of participants to groups.

Characteristics of naturalistic observations are:

• The researcher does not manipulate the conditions of the observation.
• The researcher records everything they see.
• This research design is typically used as a pilot study because it provides a large amount of information.

Characteristics of naturalistic observation are:

• Overt – the researcher engages in the experiment; the participants are aware of the researcher’s presence and know that they are being observed.
• Covert – the researcher, participates in the experiment, but his identity and research goal remain hidden.

There are also non-participant observations where the researcher observes the participants but does not participate in the experiment.

Observational Research Design Example

Let’s explore some real psychology studies and identify each study's type of observational design.

Observational Study Design

When collecting data for observational research designs, it is essential to consider sampling methods and record and analyse data. Failure to consider these aspects can lead to problems with the reliability and validity of the research.

Observational Design: Sampling Methods

To gather data representative of the entirety of the participants’ behaviour, rather than just a specific point in time, researchers typically use the following sampling methods:

• Time sampling – collecting data at intervals at different times, e.g., every four hours during the participants’ workday over five days.
• Event sampling – collecting data in different environments/situations.
• Instantaneous sampling – collecting data at pre-selected times, ignoring everything before or after.

When these sampling methods are used, the research design is considered more reliable because the behaviour may be due to bad moods rather than how they usually respond, i.e., behavioural changes throughout the day. These factors are considered when using the sampling methods, suggesting that they are reliable.

Observational Design: Recording Data and Analysis

The way data are recorded usually depends on the type of observation design. Examples of methods of data collection, the kind of data they produce, data analysis methods, and the type of observational design for which they are typically used include:

• Behavioural categories –behaviours are predefined, and researchers use a tallying system to record the frequency of the observed behaviour (typical for controlled observations).
  • Generates quantitative data that can be used for inference testing.
• Recordings –these are transcribed and analysed (typical of natural observations).
  • Generates qualitative data and can be analysed using the content or thematic analysis.
• Observer narrative –the observer takes notes on everything they observe and uses these notes for analysis (typical of participant observation);
  • Generates qualitative data and can be analysed using content analysis or thematic analysis.

Observation Evaluation

Observational studies are widely used in psychological research. Although there are many advantages to using this research design, there are also disadvantages that need to be discussed.

Strengths of Observational Designs

The strengths of observational designs are:

• High ecological validity – observational designs can be conducted in the participant’s natural environment, or the participants do not know they are being observed. They are then more likely to behave naturally, which increases ecological validity.
• It can be inexpensive – not many materials are needed, and since many observations occur in natural environments, the cost of this method is minimal.
• Allows researchers to gain in-depth, insightful information because the researcher can be immersed in and participate in the observation.

Weaknesses of Observational Designs

The weaknesses of observational designs are:

• Hawthorne effect – participants change their behaviour because they know they are being observed.
• Participants may behave as they think they should (social desirability) or feel the researchers expect them to (demand characteristics). As a result, the validity of the research decreases.
• Ethical issues – participants are usually not informed of the true aims of the research and are thus deceived, which raises ethical issues.
• The difficulty of replication – because variables are not manipulated or controlled in these observational designs (except in controlled observations), it is difficult to replicate the research and, therefore, to determine if the research is reliable.