Chpt 6: Observational Methods PSY302 Flashcards
Def: Quantitative research
Focuses on variables that can be quantified
Generally uses larger samples
Results are expressed in numerical terms using statistical descriptions.
Typically uses experiments, surveys, structured interviews, & systematic observations.
Def: qualitative research
Focuses on behavior in natural settings
Collects data abt small groups and/or in limited settings
Expresses data in nonnumerical/narrative terms.
Bases conclusions on interpretations drawn by the investigators.
What are the 5 big approaches that Creswell & Poth described?
Narrative Research
Phenomenological Research
Grounded Theory research
Ethnographic Research
Case Study Research
Explain the Goodrum experiment
Goodrum used a mixed-methods research design to study what happens after mothers diagnosed with HIV disclose their HIV status to their kids.
The sample element had 174 mothers & their kids; most of the kids in this study were black and 35% were Latinx.
The qualitative portion of the study focused on families in which full disclosure had occurred. Goodrum recruited 17 of the moms and 16 kids.
They were interviewed and was organized in groups of: kids’ reaction to the disclosure, moms’ experiences of the disclosure and family changes after HIV disclosure.
Def: naturalistic observation
a descriptive method in which observations are made in a natural social setting.
It’s also called field observation, field work, or ethnography.
Researchers study ppl in social & organizational settings or animals in their natural habitats.
Researchers must keep _________ field notes.
detailed
Quantitative data can be reported & _________ along with qualitative data gathered from _________ & direct observations
interpreted, interviews
Def: participant observation
happens when a researcher takes an active, insider role in what they are studying.
This can yield data not available in non participant observers.
The research might lose objectivity tho.
Ex: Ebbinghaus
Observers must decide to what _______ they will conceal their presence or purpose which raises ethical ________.
degree, issues
Def: a non participant observer
an outsider who doesn’t become an active part of the setting.
Plays an active insider role in the experiment.
Not concealed when they gain permission to hang out in a setting or use interview techniques to gather info.
Degrees of participation & concealment:
Might not become a member of the group.
Naturalistic observation is most useful when investigating complex _______________.
social settings
Field research can be extremely_______________________& requires detailed _________.
time-consuming , analysis
Def: systematic observation
refers to the careful observation of 1(+) specific behaviors in a particular setting
Deals with only a few specific behaviors
It can be used in both naturalistic & ln settings.
Observations are recorded using a coding system.
What do researchers have to do with coding systems?
Decide which behaviors are of interest.
Choose a setting in which the behaviors can be observed.
Develop a coding system: a set of rules used to categorize observations
Def: Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR)
a small audio recorder that a subject wears through the day.
Turns on periodically to record sounds in the subject’s environment.
Def: Experience Sampling Method (ESM)
used to alert participants to complete a data collection procedure at that moment in time.
Def: Day Reconstruction Method (DRM)
method of obtaining self-reports of daily activities, moods, & emotions. Asks participants to think abt the prev day & write abt distinct episodes that occurred
Technology ________ researchers to _________ behaviors as ppl are living their lives in real time in everyday situations.
enables, sample
Def: case study
an observational method that provides a detailed description of an individual, group, or situation in time.
Case studies don’t involve naturalistic observation but can have a description of a client’s history, symptoms, & therapeutic intervention
Def: Psychobiography
a type of case study in which a researcher applies psychological theory to explain the life of an individual.
__________________________involves using prev compiled info to answer research questions.
Archival research
3 types of archival research data:
Statistical records.
Survey archives
Written, audio, & vid records.
Def: Content analysis
the systematic analysis of existing docs.
Like systematic observation, it requires researchers to devise coding systems that raters use to identify the info.
Cons to archival research
The desired records might be difficult to obtain.
We can never be sure of the accuracy of info
Collected by someone else
Survey archives consist of data from ________ that are stored _________ & available to researchers who wish to analyze them.
surveys, digitally
These are extremely important bc most researchers don’t have the __________. Resources to conduct surveys of randomly selected national samples; the archives allow them _________ like sample to test their ideas & ___________ trends in attitudes & behaviors over time.
financial, access, examine
Def: content analysis
the systematic analysis of existing docs.
Like systematic observation, it requires researchers to devise coding systems that raters use to identify the info.
2 issues with Archival data
The desired records might be hard to get as they might have been placed in long-forgotten storage areas, or they might have been destroyed.
We can never be entirely sure of the accuracy of the info collected by someone else.
