Advantages to behavioral observation data include:
- realistic (natural)
- range of contexts (lab)
- appearance of objectivity (lab)

Advantages of Behavioral Observation

Disadvantages to behavioral data include: 
- unethical to obtain (natural)
- difficult and expensive (lab)
- uncertain interpretation 

Disadvantages of Behavioral Observation

Behavioral observations come from direct observation of a subject's actions. This data can be natural, where the subject is unaware that their behavior is being observed. Most instances, however, are laboratory behavioral observations.
Examples:
- personal investigators (natural)
- experiments (lab)

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Personality psychologists can analyze several types of data to draw conclusions and test hypotheses.

 Common forms of data collection include:

- Self Reports

- Informant Reports

- Life Outcomes

- Behavioral Observations

Sources for Data in Personality Psychology

Funder, D. C. (2019). The personality puzzle. New York, NY: W. W. Norton &amp; Company.

The Personality Puzzle

Self reports are data collected by an individual about themselves. Self reports are also referred to as self judgements.

Examples:

- rate your compassion level  on a scale of 1-10

- true or false: you are a risk taker

- You enjoy trying new things. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, strongly disagree, etc.  

Self Reports

Informant reports are data collected about an individual that comes from someone who knows that individual. They are a form of judgement based on common sense, experience, and rating the behavior of others.

Examples:

- letters of recommendation

- gossip



Informant Reports

Life outcome data comes from events in a subjects life that may have happened due to their personality. 

Examples:
- police records
- medical files
- personal questions

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