Lesson 4 - Observational Techniques Flashcards
What is a non-participant observation?
Where the researcher is not directly involved with the interactions of the participants
What is a participant observation?
Where the researcher is directly involved in the interactions of the participants.
What is an overt observation?
This is where the researcher discloses their identity to the participants and tells them about the research they are conducting
What is a covert observation?
This is when the researcher does not disclose any information about themselves or the research they’re conducting. With this kind of observation, the participants do not know they are getting observed until debriefing.
What is a structured observation?
This is when the researcher uses a predetermined checklist to observe certain behaviours.
What is an unstructured observation?
This is when the researcher doesn’t have a predetermined checklist and observes everything
What is a naturalistic observation?
A researcher observes participants in their own environment.
There is no deliberate manipulation of variables
Strengths of naturalistic observations?
- These studies have high ecological validity
- Less chance of demand characteristics
- Useful for when manipulation of the IV is unethical
Weaknesses of naturalistic observations?
- Impossible to control extraneous variables
- Cannot determine cause and effect
- Risk of observer bias
What is a controlled observation?
When the researcher observes participants in a controlled setting. This allows for the manipulation of variables.
Strengths of controlled observations?
- Cause and effect can be determined
- Extraneous variables can be controlled
- Rich and complex data is collected
Weaknesses of controlled observations?
- Low ecological validity
- Risk of observer bias
- Risk of demand characteristics
What is observer bias?
If the observer knows the purpose of the study, they may only see what they want to see.
How do you reduce observer bias?
Having two or more independent observers to observe the experiment, then comparing the results to see if they correlate to each other. This is called inter-rater reliability.
