Chapter 6 Flashcards
Difference in Observational Technique vs. Design
Observation can be simply the technique for measuring the dependent variable in an experiment but observational designs rely primarily on observational records of relatively unconstrained, natural behaviour
Difference in Participant observation (where the observer acts in the observed group) vs. non-participant observation
So called participant observation studies often use interview techniques more than they use pure observation
Seperate Disclosed (people know what the observer is doing) from
undisclosed observations.
Separate Structured (where some kind of coding is used) from
Non-structured observations
Separate Controlled observation (often in the laboratory) from
Naturalistic observation (in the observed persons own environment.
ISSUES
Relative strength and weaknesses of the various techniques and approaches.
The objection of some qualitative researchers to structure and control in observational studies
Reliability of observations
Degree of participation
Ethical issues of undisclosed participant observations.
ADVANTAGES
Provides unique information, unavailable by any other method – which may trigger more general and structured research.
Archival data
Data obtained from public records and used as evidence
Data-gathering devices
visual recording, still camera, audio, hand written notes, rating or coding.
Case study
Intense study of one individual, group or organisation often using several methods.
These methods can be + more: observation, interview, surveys and questionnaires, archival data, focus groups etc..
Code (coding)
Quantifying by giving similar observed instances of behaviour a symbol
Example: systematically analyse large datasets when it comes to online reviews of a phone. Battery is one code. Screen is another. Camera is another.
Diary method
Data-gathering method where participant makes regular (often daily) record of relevant events.
Example: patient exposed to new medicine and writing a journal every night of how it makes her feel.
Disclosure
Letting people know that they are the object of observation
Event sampling
Recording pre-specified behavioural events as they occur.
Example: seeing how many kids raise their hands in a classroom each day over a month before they switch up the teaching style to compare later
Halo effect and reverse halo effect (devil effect, horns effect)
Tendency for people to judge a person’s characteristics as positive if they have already observed one central trait to be positive or have gained an overall positive first impression. Reverse effect occurs if an initial negative impression causes traits to be assessed negatively.
Example: showing up to a Job interview well dressed and on time vs. Late and in sweats.
Inter-observer reliability and inter-rater reliability
Extent to which observers agree in their rating or coding.
Example: it’s all about making sure that when different people assess the same thing, they tend to give similar assessments. - Cleanliness of rooms.
Interval sampling
Recording of what behaviour is occurring, or the typical behaviour, in specified time intervals.
Examples: What is the kid doing for these 5 minute intervals?
“How many people arrived and left during those 10 minutes”
Momentary time sampling
Recording what is occurring only at the end of specified time intervals.
Example What is the kid doing every 5 minutes on the dot?
How many were leaving or arriving at the end of the 1st period?
Controlled observation
observation in controlled setting, often a laboratory or observation room.
Indirect/archival observation type
Observations not made on people directly, but using available records.
Naturalistic observation
Observations without intervention in observed people´s own environment
Participant observation
Observation in which observer takes part or plays a role in the group observed.
Example: Learn about a closed off community by joining the community
Structured/systematic observation
observation that uses an explicitly defined coding framework for data recording.
Example: creating detailed coding framework for student participation in history lessons.
Observational design
Study that is solely observational and does not include any experimentation
Observational technique
Procedure using observation that may or may not be part of an experiment
Example: basically just using observation
Observer bias
threat to the validity of the observational records caused solely by the characteristics of the observer
Example: female observer might have an observer bias towards young girls when observing what gender gets bullied the most in 6th grade.
Partial interval recording
Only recording whether a behaviour occurred or not during any time specified interval
Example: 1st interval: people both left and arrived.
Role play
study in which participants acts out given roles.
Example: sex
Simulation
Study in which participants re-create and play through, to a certain extent, a social interaction.
Time sampling
Interval sampling but where observations are only taken during certain non-continuous time intervals
Example: Studying laughter with kids at a playground for 2 hours, divided into 4 30-minute intervals and only recording whether they laught at minutes: 5,15 and 25 during each interval. Not how many or why, just if.
Verbal protocol
Recording of a participant speaking or thinking out loud while performing a task.
Example: Solving a puzzle: “I am now going to divide the puzzles based on colours…”
