9.1.7 - Observations

Question 1

Define “observation”.

Answer 1

A research method that involves watching and recording behaviour

Question 2

What are the 6 types of observations?

Answer 2

Naturalistic
Structured

Overt
Covert

Participant
Non-Participant

Question 3

Define “naturalistic observation”.

Answer 3

An observation conducted in an everyday environment where the behaviour being studied is normally seen

Question 4

What is the advantage and disadvantage of naturalistic observations?

Answer 4

Advantages:
High ecological validity - results can be applied to everyday life

Disadvantages:
Low reliability and internal validity - uncontrolled extraneous variables makes replication difficult

Question 5

Define “structured observation”.

Answer 5

An observation carried out in a laboratory or a controlled environment

Question 6

What is the advantage and disadvantage of structured observations?

Answer 6

Advantages:
High reliability and internal validity - extraneous variables are less of a factor so replication is easier

Disadvantages:
Low ecological validity - findings cannot be as readily applied to real-life settings

Question 7

Define “overt observation”.

Answer 7

An observation where participants are aware they are being observed as part of an investigation

Question 8

What is the advantage and disadvantage of overt observations?

Answer 8

Advantages:
More ethical - participants have given consent and have the right to withdraw

Disadvantages:
Low internal validity - observer effects would cause participants to behave differently than normal as they know they’re being watched

Question 9

Define “covert observation”.

Answer 9

An observation when participants are not aware they are being observed

Question 10

What is the advantage and disadvantage of covert observations?

Answer 10

Advantages:
Increased internal validity - behavior is more natural; no observer effects

Disadvantages:
Ethical issues - only acceptable to observe people in public places if behaviours aren’t private; no consent or right to withdraw

Question 11

Define “participant observation”.

Answer 11

An observation when an observer is involved in the group they are observing

Question 12

What is the advantage and 2 disadvantages of participant observations?

Answer 12

Advantages:
Increased internal validity -researchers can experience the situation from the participant’s point of view, giving more realistic results

Disadvantages:
Low task validity - researchers disrupt natural interactions as they now intrude to an extent

Observer bias and decreased internal validity - researchers may come to identify too strongly with those they’re studying and lose objectivity

Question 13

Define “non-participant observation”.

Answer 13

An observation where the observer watches and records people without being actively involved

Question 14

What is the advantage and disadvantage of non-participant observations?

Answer 14

Advantages:
Increased internal validity - researcher can be more objective when standing back from the observed group; less observer bias and disruption of dynamics

Disadvantages:
Low task validity - researcher may miss special insights into behaviour that can only be gained from the ‘inside’

Question 15

Define “observer effects” and “observer bias”.

Answer 15

Observer effects - participants acting unnaturally due to knowing they are being observed

Observer bias - when observers interpret the observed behaviours according to their own view

Question 16

Define “time sampling”. (2 points)

Answer 16

Recording what is happening at every evenly spaced time interval

E.g. noting what a person is doing every 30 seconds

Question 17

What is the advantage and disadvantage of time sampling?

Answer 17

Advantage:
Useful when target behaviour happens frequently

Disadvantage:
Observer may overlook important details if event is too complex

Question 18

Define “event sampling”.

Answer 18

Counting the number of times a certain behaviour occurs

Question 19

What is the advantage and disadvantage of event sampling?

Answer 19

Advantage:
Effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made

Disadvantage:
Instances when behaviours are observed may not be representative of the observation as a whole