1.1 Observations Flashcards
Naturalist Observation
Observation that is carried out in the field e.g. Set up in natural settings to give the chance to observe natural behaviour
Advantages of Naturalist Observation
- 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
Disadvantages of Naturalist Observation
- 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)
Controlled Observation
Observation that controls all the possible factors which might alter behaviour, which therefore might hide/confound the behaviour caused the IV
Advantages of Controlled Observation
- 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
Disadvantages of Controlled Observation
-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
Overt Observation
Observation where participants know they’re being observed because of observers presence or they have given consent
Advantages of Overt Observation
-Makes it possible to carry out ethical research, as she/he has given consent to be observed or aware of it
Disadvantages of Overt Observation
-Demand characteristics may occur as participants know they’re being observed, decrease in internal validity
Covert Observation
Where participant doesn’t know they’re being observed
Advantages of Covert Observation
-Natural behaviour can be observed, participants won’t respond to demand characteristics
Disadvantages of Covert Observation
- 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
Structured Observation
When a structure is imposed on the observation to meet the aim of the investigation and the observational systems used for recording the data
Advantages of Structured Observation
- 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
Disadvantages of Structured Observation
- 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)
Unstructured Observation
When the observer/ researcher continuously records on all behaviour witnessed, ‘observe and report everything method’
Advantages of Unstructured Observation
-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
Disadvantages of Unstructured Observation
- 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
Participant Observation
Where the observers are part of or pretending to be part of the group they’re observing
Advantages of Participant Observation
- 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
Disadvantages of Participant Observation
- 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
Non- Participant Observation
Where the observer is not a member of the group being studied/ playing a part of another person in the group
Advantages of nonparticipant observation
- 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
Disadvantages of non-participant observation
- 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
Event Sampling
Choose to observe and record only certain behaviours- event is recorded each time it happens
Time Sampling
Choose to observe and record behaviours occurring at specific times
Time Point Sampling
Observer records what the participant is doing at fixed intervals e.g every 10 seconds
Time Event Sampling
Observer records for a fixed period of time e.g first 10 mins of every hour
Behavioural Categories
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
Coding Frame
Where the researcher observes the behaviour and identifies key features of the behaviour and codes them (completed in stages)
