7.1: Observational techniques Flashcards
A group of researchers used ‘event sampling’ to observe children’s friendships over a period of three weeks at break times and lunchtimes during the school day.
The investigation is an example of a ‘naturalistic observation.’
Briefly discuss how observational research might be improved by conducting observations in a controlled environment (4 marks)
Observational research might be improved by conducting observations in a controlled environment, because the controlled environment affords the opportunity to control extraneous variables
A group of researchers used ‘event sampling’ to observe children’s friendships over a period of three weeks at break times and lunchtimes during the school day.
The investigation is an example of a ‘naturalistic observation.’
Briefly discuss how observational research might be improved by conducting observations in a controlled environment (4 marks).
Observational research might be improved by conducting observations in a controlled environment, because the controlled environment affords the opportunity to control extraneous variables.
What?
The exclusion of extraneous variables allows for greater inference about cause and effect and the exclusion of extraneous variables means that the researcher can replicate the observation to check for reliability of the effect
A head teacher wanted to increase recycling in his school. He arranged for the canteen to have three bins, one for cardboard, one for plastic and one for food waste. A month later, a psychology teacher decided to see if the students were recycling. One lunch break she watched different students going to the bins. Each time, she wrote down which of the three types of waste they recycled. She positioned herself so that the students could not see her but so that she had a clear view of the bins.
As the different year groups had lunch at different times, the teacher was able to present her results as three year groups, as shown below.
The number of items each year group recycled:
Year group 7 - 9 recycled cardboard 20 times, plastic 35 times and food 10 times.
Year group 10 - 11 recycled cardboard 18 times, plastic 25 times and food 7 times.
Year group 12 - 13 recycled cardboard 12 times, plastic 15 times and food 5 times.
What do the results in Table 1 suggest about the recycling initiative? (4 marks)
Refer to the data above in your answer
It suggests that younger children are likely to recycle more than other children.
More year 7 - 9 (than any other age group) recycled for all of the categories (cardboard, plastic and food)
A head teacher wanted to increase recycling in his school. He arranged for the canteen to have three bins, one for cardboard, one for plastic and one for food waste. A month later, a psychology teacher decided to see if the students were recycling. One lunch break she watched different students going to the bins. Each time, she wrote down which of the three types of waste they recycled. She positioned herself so that the students could not see her but so that she had a clear view of the bins.
As the different year groups had lunch at different times, the teacher was able to present her results as three year groups, as shown below.
The number of items each year group recycled:
Year group 7 - 9 recycled cardboard 20 times, plastic 35 times and food 10 times.
Year group 10 - 11 recycled cardboard 18 times, plastic 25 times and food 7 times.
Year group 12 - 13 recycled cardboard 12 times, plastic 15 times and food 5 times.
What do the results in Table 1 suggest about the recycling initiative? (4 marks)
Refer to the data above in your answer.
It suggests that younger children are likely to recycle more than other children.
More year 7 - 9 (than any other age group) recycled for all of the categories (cardboard, plastic and food).
What?
It suggests that children are most likely to recycle plastic.
More children in each age group recycled plastic (than any of the other items)
