L2- Observational Techniques Flashcards
What is an observation
When a researcher watches or listens to participants engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied
How can researches be sure they do not miss any vital info?
- multiple observers (also prevents observer bias)
- record on camera (also allows for viewing later)
What is Non -participant observation?
- researcher not directly involved with the interactions of the participants and activities
Advantage and disadvantage of non participant observation
+ less distractions- fully focused on observing and making good notes
- not engaging decreases understanding of observed behaviour, decreases validity
What is participant observation?
- researcher gets directly involved with interactions of participants and activities
Advantage and disadvantage of participant observation
+ increases validity- has deeper understanding of observed behaviour
-may lose objectivity and become too involved
What is covert observation
- psychologist goes undercover (maybe fake identity)
-group does not know they are being observed
Advantage and disadvantage of covert observation
+ less demand characteristics than overt- less likely to change behaviour
- ethical issues- lack of informed consent and deception
What is overt observation?
- psychologist reveals true identity
-may state they are observing group
Advantage and disadvantage of overt observation
+ ethical- aware they are part of experiment, informed consent, no deception
- observer effects- change behaviour when being observed, invalid data
What is naturalistic observation?
- researcher observed participants in their own natural environment
- No deliberate manipulation of IV
-e.g observe shoppers to see if in group or alone
Advantages of naturalistic observation
+ unaware being observed (covert observation) - less observer effect, data valid
+high mundane realism and ecological validity, can be generalised
+ useful when manipulation of variables would be impossible or unethical e.g. tell kids to be aggressive in playground rather than natural aggression
Disadvantages of naturalistic observation
- cannot control EV- is IV affecting DV or EV?, invalid data
- lack of control, cause and effect cannot be determined
-observer bias- incorrect/ subjective interpretations, unreliable results
What is controlled observation?
- researcher observes participants in controlled environment- manipulates IV
Advantages of controlled observation
+ cause and effect can be determined- observation highly controlled
+ EV can be controlled- valid results
+ likely to give qualitative data, increases validity
Disadvantages of controlled observation
- low mundane realism and ecological validity- high control, not representative
- demand characteristics- overt observation, may show social desirability bias, invalid data
-risk of observer bias
Types of observation
- non-participant
-participant
-covert
-overt
-naturalistic - controlled
What are the sampling procedures?
- event sampling
-time-interval sampling
What is event sampling
- observer decides in advance what type of behaviour they want and records all occurring events
-other types of behaviour are ignored
What is time interval sampling
- observer decides in advance the observation will only take place during specified time periods and records all occurence of the specified behaviour during that time period
What is a pilot study
- preliminary small scale study of procedures to be used in main study
- few people trial study- saves time, money and identifies flaws
- help spot ambiguities or problems in task
-establish behavioural categories and check they are suitable
-irons out practical problems (camera placement)
What is observer bias?
-may observe behaviours they think meet their aims and hypothesis- inaccurate and subjective results
Inter rater reliability
-a measure of consistency used to evaluate the extent to which different judges agree in their assessment decisions
-2 obeservers can record results serperatley then corelate observations and date-Kappa score of +0.8= reliable
