L2 - Observational Techniques

Question 1

what is an OBSERVATION?

Answer 1

An OBSERVATION is when a researcher WATCHES OR LISTENS TO PPS ENGAGING in the BEHAVIOUR THAT IS BEING STUDIED

Question 2

what is NON PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION?

Answer 2

this is when the researcher DOES NOT GET INVOLVED with the INTERACTIONS of the PARTICIPANTS

Question 3

what is PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION?

Answer 3

this is when the researcher is DIRECTLY INVOLVED with the INTERACTIONS OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Question 4

what is COVERT OBSERVATION?

Answer 4

the psychologist GOES UNDERCOVER and DOES NOT REVEAL THEIR TRUE IDENTITY, they may even give themselves a NEW IDENTITY

The group DOES NOT KNOW THAT THEY ARE BEING OBSERVED

Question 5

what is OVERT OBSERVATION?

Answer 5

the researcher WATCHES and RECORDS the BEHAVIOUR OF A GROUP that KNOWS IT IS BEING OBSERVED by a psychologist

Question 6

what is a NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION?

Answer 6

A researcher OBSERVES PARTICIPANTS in their OWN ENVIRONMENT and there is NO DELIBERATE MANIPULATION of the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

Question 7

what are the ADVANTAGES of a NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION?

Answer 7

1) pps are USUALLY UNAWARE that they are BEING OBSERVED (covert observation) so there is a REDUCED CHANCE OF OBSERVER EFFECTS (when pps change their behaviour because they know they are being observed, so the results are not valid)
2) naturalistic observations have HIGH MUNDANE REALISM and ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY
3) NATURALISTIC OBSERVATIONS are USEFUL when the DELIBERATE MANIPULATION of variables is IMPOSSIBLE or UNETHICAL

Question 8

what are the DISADVANTAGES of NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION?

Answer 8

1) IMPOSSIBLE to have any CONTROL OVER EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES
2) it is PROBLEMATIC to try and DETERMINE CAUSE AND EFFECT
3) there is a RISK OF OBSERVER BIAS. This occurs when the observers KNOW THE AIMS OF THE STUDY, OR THE HYPOTHESES, and this knowledge INFLUENCES THEIR OBSERVATIONS

Question 9

what is a CONTROLLED OBSERVATION?

Answer 9

a researcher OBSERVES PARTICIPANTS in a CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT and this ALLOWS FOR MANIPULATION OF THE IV

Question 10

what are the ADVANTAGES of a CONTROLLED OBSERVATION?

Answer 10

1) CAUSE and EFFECT CAN BE DETERMINED

2) EV CAN BE CONTROLLED FOR

Question 11

what are the DISADVANTAGES of CONTROLLED OBSERVATION?

Answer 11

1) LOWER MUNDANE REALISM and ECOLOGICAL VALIDITY
2) OBSERVER EFFECTS could occur as pps usually KNOW THEY ARE BEING OBSERVED (OVERT OBSERVATION)
3) there is a RISK OF OBSERVER BIAS