9. observation

Question 1

observation

Answer 1

A research method used
when watching participants directly to gather data about their
behaviour.

Question 2

structured observation

Answer 2

Researchers record a predetermined,
limited range of behaviours.

Specific behaviours to be recorded
are clearly defined in behavioural
checklist. Training may happen for
consistency.

Question 3

unstructured observation

Answer 3

Researchers record all behaviour
relevant to the study aims.

Usually limited to a pilot study to
help set the focus. Lots of qualitative data gathered.

Question 4

structured observation PROS AND CONS

Answer 4

PROS:
- Data collection is more consistent
(clearly defined)

• Easy to check for inter-observer
  reliability
• Easy to analyse results

CONS:
- Identify behavioural checklist
is time consuming.

• May miss important
  behaviours.

Question 5

unstructured observation PROS AND CONS

Answer 5

PROS:
- All important behaviours
are recorded.

• Lots of rich data gathered.

CONS:
- Difficult to record all data
accurately.

• May gather irrelevant data.

Question 6

behavioural checklist

Answer 6

A list of predetermined behaviours
relevant to the observation aims

Helps to record
behaviours consistently
and accurately.

Question 7

event sampling

Answer 7

All occurrences of target behaviour are recorded each time they occur.

Question 8

time sampling

Answer 8

Behaviour is only recorded during
specific time periods, (e.g. every 15 seconds, every 10 minutes, 1 hour
per day, etc.)

Question 9

covert observation

Answer 9

Participants do not know they are
being observed. Observer is not
obvious – hidden, disguised, CCTV

Question 10

covert observation PROS AND CONS

Answer 10

PROS:
Participant may interact with
the observer in more natural
ways.

Reduces risk of social desirability
bias and demand characteristics.

CONS:
Ethical issues – deception, no
consent.

Data recording may be more
difficult.

Question 11

overt observation

Answer 11

Participants know they are
being observed. Explicitly told or
observer is obvious.

Question 12

overt observation PROS AND CONS

Answer 12

PROS:
More ethical – valid
(informed) consent, no
deception, privacy.

CONS:
Observer presence is likely to
alter behaviour and lower
validity of results.

Question 13

participant observation

Answer 13

Researcher joins the participants
as part of the social setting.

May be covert (undercover) or
overt.

Question 14

non ppt observation

Answer 14

Researcher observes from a
distance, doesn’t join social setting.

May be covert (one-way glass) or
overt.

Question 15

ppt observation PROS CONS

Answer 15

PROS:
Should produce ecologically
valid, in-depth & detailed
data as researcher is closer to
the situation

CONS:
Can be hard to carry out as being
part of the social scene is
distracting

Observer may become less
objective.

Question 16

non ppt observation PROS CONS

Answer 16

PROS:
Observers can be more
objective which avoids observer
bias.

More accurate as more focused
on recording data.

CONS:
May miss behaviours as
recording from a distance.

Question 17

naturalistic observation

Answer 17

Participants are observed in
uncontrolled, natural, real-world
settings.

No interference from researchers.

Question 18

controlled observation

Answer 18

The environment has been
manipulated socially or physically by
the researchers.

Mainly conducted in standardised,
laboratory settings.

Question 19

naturalistic observation PROS CONS

Answer 19

PROS:
Results are more likely to
be more ecologically
valid.

CONS:
No guarantee target behaviours will
occur spontaneously.

Lack of control – risk of uncontrolled
variables, and hard to replicate.

Question 20

controlled observation PROS CONS

Answer 20

PROS:
Interference may be necessary.

High in control, standardised,
reliable and replicable.

CONS:
Researcher interference
may lead to biased results.

Low in ecological validity.

Question 21

why do we do observations?

Answer 21

Sometimes we cannot manipulate IVs

It may be the most valid measure of a DV

Cheap to carry out

Few resources are needed

High ecological validity for some types of observation

Question 22

Improving observational technique:

Answer 22

Double-Blind Technique - The researcher and participants are
unaware of what the hypothesis is.

One way mirrors /Covert - The participant is less likely to alter behaviour.

Clear definitions - of behaviours to be observed. Helps avoid observer bias.

Inter-Observer Reliability - Ensure more than one person observes and they compare their results.

Pilot study - Practice run to see if all the observers are observing in the same way.