1.1 Observations

Question 1

Naturalist Observation

Answer 1

Observation that is carried out in the field e.g. Set up in natural settings to give the chance to observe natural behaviour

Question 2

Advantages of Naturalist Observation

Answer 2

• Observe normal realistic behaviour as participants are in their normal environment and less likely to be aware they are being observed (ecological validity)
• Useful for obtaining information in situations where corporation would be unlikely

Question 3

Disadvantages of Naturalist Observation

Answer 3

• Lack of control meaning there could be other factors influencing the behaviour decrease in internal validity
• Difficult to ensure data collection is accurate as recording equipment would be obvious (if observers identified- threat to validity)

Question 4

Controlled Observation

Answer 4

Observation that controls all the possible factors which might alter behaviour, which therefore might hide/confound the behaviour caused the IV

Question 5

Advantages of Controlled Observation

Answer 5

• Controls other factor that could influence the behaviour, increase in internal validity
• Data recording is likely to be reliable as equipment can be used without having to hide it

Question 6

Disadvantages of Controlled Observation

Answer 6

-Artificial setting so decrease in ecological validity
High chance of demand characteristics
-participants are in an unfamiliar environment (controlled) so may react differently from how they normally would

Question 7

Overt Observation

Answer 7

Observation where participants know they’re being observed because of observers presence or they have given consent

Question 8

Advantages of Overt Observation

Answer 8

-Makes it possible to carry out ethical research, as she/he has given consent to be observed or aware of it

Question 9

Disadvantages of Overt Observation

Answer 9

-Demand characteristics may occur as participants know they’re being observed, decrease in internal validity

Question 10

Covert Observation

Answer 10

Where participant doesn’t know they’re being observed

Question 11

Advantages of Covert Observation

Answer 11

-Natural behaviour can be observed, participants won’t respond to demand characteristics

Question 12

Disadvantages of Covert Observation

Answer 12

• May not be ethical reasearch as participants haven’t given consent or know they’re being observed as well as not given a right to withdraw
• if observers also participant observer as it may be difficult to record data accurately without increasing the chance of demand characteristics

Question 13

Structured Observation

Answer 13

When a structure is imposed on the observation to meet the aim of the investigation and the observational systems used for recording the data

Question 14

Advantages of Structured Observation

Answer 14

• Increased usefulness and objectivity of the study
• behavioural categories can be developed in the pilot study before the observation begins to be certain they include all key actions/ behaviours for the hypothesis

Question 15

Disadvantages of Structured Observation

Answer 15

• At risk of missing important information so data is limited
• total number of behaviours within a category may be meaningless without the context in which they occurred (decrease in internal validity)

Question 16

Unstructured Observation

Answer 16

When the observer/ researcher continuously records on all behaviour witnessed, ‘observe and report everything method’

Question 17

Advantages of Unstructured Observation

Answer 17

-Can gain lots of qualitative detailed information, won’t miss any important information which means observers can have a more complete picture of the situation

Question 18

Disadvantages of Unstructured Observation

Answer 18

• Data gathered may be too dense and detailed to reveal anything to the observer
• Difficult to make comparisons between participants and what is being observed
• recording maybe inconsistent and subjective
• by attempting to record everything observers my message or ignore important aspects linking to the hypothesis

Question 19

Participant Observation

Answer 19

Where the observers are part of or pretending to be part of the group they’re observing

Question 20

Advantages of Participant Observation

Answer 20

• Get an insight into the experience and the participants real emotions and motives (gather detailed information)
• Reduced demand characteristics as well as participants revealing more then if an observer was present

Question 21

Disadvantages of Participant Observation

Answer 21

• May become subjective if too involved in the situation/experience
• if observers presence is revealed in demand characteristics may occur
• ethical issues as participant haven’t given consent or right to withdraw

Question 22

Non- Participant Observation

Answer 22

Where the observer is not a member of the group being studied/ playing a part of another person in the group

Question 23

Advantages of nonparticipant observation

Answer 23

• Findings will be more objective on what is being observed as the observer won’t be too involved in the group
• data recording can be accurate and detailed as observer’s main task

Question 24

Disadvantages of non-participant observation

Answer 24

• Won’t have the same level of insight into behaviour as a participant observer reducing the level of detailed information
• ethical issues such as informed consent or right to withdraw

Question 25

Event Sampling

Answer 25

Choose to observe and record only certain behaviours- event is recorded each time it happens

Question 26

Time Sampling

Answer 26

Choose to observe and record behaviours occurring at specific times

Question 27

Time Point Sampling

Answer 27

Observer records what the participant is doing at fixed intervals e.g every 10 seconds

Question 28

Time Event Sampling

Answer 28

Observer records for a fixed period of time e.g first 10 mins of every hour

Question 29

Behavioural Categories

Answer 29

When the researcher devices and observation schedule, so that what and how is going to be observed it all decided before the observation takes place

Question 30

Coding Frame

Answer 30

Where the researcher observes the behaviour and identifies key features of the behaviour and codes them (completed in stages)