Chapter 6 Research Methods - Observation Flashcards
Observation - Types of observation - Naturalistic observations?
Behaviour observed where it would normally occur. No control over variables.
Observation - Types of observation - Controlled observations?
Some control over environment e.g. manipulation of variables.
Observation - Types of observation - Covert & overt observations?
Observing without or with pts’ knowledge.
Observation - Types of observation - Participant & non-participant?
Join the group or remain an outsider.
Observation - Evaluation of the types of observation - All observations?
Capture what people do. Observer bias & no casual relationships shown.
Observation - Evaluation of the types of observation - Naturalistic observations?
Low internal validity (control difficult). High external validity (everyday life).
Observation - Evaluation of the types of observation - Controlled observations?
High internal validity - extraneous variables may be controlled. Low external validity (expect if covert).
Observation - Evaluation of the types of observation - Covert & overt observations?
Covert - low demand characteristics but ethically questionable.
Overt - behaviour may be affected.
Observation - Evaluation of the types of observation - Participant & non-participant?
Participant - increased external validity but may lose objectivity.
Non-participant - more objectivity (increased internal validity), less insight.
Observation - Observational design - Ways of recording data?
Record everything (unstructured) or categories (structured).
Observation - Observational design - Behavioural categories?
Target behaviours broken down into observable components.
Observation - Observational design - Sampling methods?
Continuous.
Event sampling - count events.
Time sampling - count at timed intervals.
Observation - Evaluation of observational design - Structured vs unstructured?
Structured - numerical, easier to analyse.
Unstructured - may just be eye-catching information, qualitative data harder to analyse. Observer bias.
Observation - Evaluation of observational design - Behavioural categories?
Must be observable. Avoid dustbin category. No overlap.
Observation - Evaluation of observational design - Sampling methods?
Event - useful for infrequent behaviour, misses complexity
Time - less effort but may not represent whole behaviour.
