Green Pack 2

Question 1

What was the aim of your practical investigation for observational research in learning theories?

Answer 1

The aim of the naturalistic observation is investigate the difference in behaviour of adults with and without children whilst crossing the road at a set of traffic lights.

Question 2

What was your alternate hypothesis for your observational study in your practical investigation for learning theories?

Answer 2

There will be a significant difference between the behaviour of adults with children compared to adult without children when crossing the road at a set of traffic lights. With focus on these variables: looking left and right prior of crossing, crossing with or without a green safety light and walking at an appropriate place.

Question 3

What was your null hypothesis for your observational study in your practical investigation for learning theories?

Answer 3

There will be no significant difference between the behaviour of adults with children compared to adult without children when crossing the road at a set of traffic lights. With focus on these variables: looking left and right prior of crossing, crossing with or without a green safety light and walking at an appropriate place.

Question 4

Identify the sampling technique used in your study for your practical investigation in learning theories

Answer 4

Opportunity sampling

Question 5

Explain why the sampling technique was used in your study for your practical investigation in learning theories

Answer 5

It was the most convenient at the time and was quick and easy allowing data to be collected quickly.

Question 6

Give one strength of the sample used in your observational practical investigation for learning theories

Answer 6

Adult were sampled with and without children present. This is a strength because it means we can compare the difference of adult behaviour between the two conditions and give evidence for learning theories in action.

Question 7

Give one weakness of the sample used in your observational practical investigation for learning theories

Answer 7

All participants were from the same local town. This is a weakness as the findings may not generalise other parts of the country or other cultures. Therefore we can only apply the results of the study to those in the area.

Question 8

What is you practical study for learning theories?

Answer 8

An observation to investigate the differences between adults behaviour with and without children when crossing the road at a set of traffic lights

Question 9

Explain what ethical issues were raised in your practical investigation for learning theories and how they were addressed

Answer 9

• Informed Consent- Moderate risk: Consent was not gained but no personal information which could have caused harm to the participants was collected. An observation took place in a public space.
• Debriefing- no participants knew they were taking part as this was not possible to carry out in this observation and they were not debriefed as they were just crossing the road so no need for a real debrief
• Right to withdraw- Moderate risk: no participants knew they were taking part as this was not possible to carry out in this observation therefore did not have the right to withdraw

Question 10

State what ethics issues were not addressed in your observation for your practical investigation and why

Answer 10

• Confidentiality- no personal information was collected. All findings were anonymous
• Protection of participants- Participants were not interacted with therefore protect them from harm.
• Observational research- observation of behaviour was restricted to a public place

Question 11

What is the appropriate test for your practical investigation in learning theories?

Answer 11

Chi square

Question 12

What were the main themes identified from your thematic analysis of the qualitative data in your practical investigation for learning theories

Answer 12

Intrapersonal- behaviour taking place within the individual

Interpersonal- behaviour taking place with other individuals

Question 13

Explain two ways you can improve your observation in the future (practical investigation learning theories)

Answer 13

• increase internal validity by using cameras so behaviour won’t be missed and observers can pause and rewind allowing for better accuracy in data collection
• increase generalisability by conducting the study in multiple different areas/High Streets to make the study more representative of the whole country.

Question 14

Give two strengths of your practical investigation in learning theories

Answer 14

• A strength of this observation is that it is regarded to be high in ecological validity. This is shown as a study was a naturalistic observation observing real life behaviours as they were occurring in their natural environment.
• Another strength of this observation as it’s regarded to be high interrater reliability. This is shown as the study was conducted in small groups with everyone collecting data individually and later checking in our findings together.

Question 15

Give two weaknesses of your practical investigation in learning theories

Answer 15

• A weakness of this observation is that it is regarded to be low in generalisability. For example the study was only conducted in our local area and therefore may not be representative of other areas.
• A second weakness of this observation is it is regarded to have ethical concerns. For example the participants were unaware they were being studied and therefore did not give informed consent.

Question 16

Describe the main characteristics of different types of observations

Answer 16

Structured- observations with some variables including the setting on manipulated
Naturalistic- Observations where behaviour is studied in its natural setting
Participant observation- When the observer becomes part of the group being studied
Non-Participant- Where the observer is not involved in the action.
Covert- When the participants do not know they are being observed.
Overt- When the observer is known to be present by those observed.

Question 17

Define event sampling

Answer 17

recording certain behaviour (a specific event) every time it occurs in a target
individual or group of individuals throughout the observation period.

Question 18

Define time sampling

Answer 18

Recording target behaviours for set lengths of time at set intervals

Question 19

Give a weakness of event sampling

Answer 19

May be difficult to observe all events occurring if there is a large number of people and/or spread across a large area

Question 20

Give a weakness of continuous sampling

Answer 20

Time-consuming and very difficult as there is too much data to record

Question 21

Define continuous sampling

Answer 21

When the observer records every instance of behaviour

Question 22

Give a strength of event sampling

Answer 22

Limits the behaviour that needs to be observed and thus reducing the chance that the behaviour of interest will be missed

Question 23

Give a strength of continuous sampling

Answer 23

All behaviour is recorded increasing the validity as it is more detailed

Question 24

Define inter-observer (inter-rater) reliability

Answer 24

refers to the extent to which different observers give consistent results of the same behaviour

Question 25

Give two pieces of information that describe why this issue is important to support our rationale for undertaking the observation.

Answer 25

• Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977) explains how people learn new behaviors through observation of others. Behaviour is modelled by a role model the observer identifies with the role model, they note and observe the behaviour and they imitate the behaviour, so it becomes learnt.
• Muir et al., (2017) stated that 77% of adults surveyed felt that they were their child’s primary learning source for road safety.