Methodologies - Observational Techniques Flashcards
What are the different types of observations?
Non-participant observation
Participant observation
Covert observation
Overt observation
Naturalistic observation
Controlled observation
What is an observation?
Researcher watches/listen to participants engaging in the behaviour that is being studied
What is a non-participant observation?
When the researchers doesn’t get directly involved in the interaction of the participants
What is a participant observation?
When the researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the participants
What is a covert observation?
Psychologist is undercover and doesn’t reveal their identity
The group doesn’t know they are being observed
What is an overt observation?
Researcher watches and records behaviour of a group
Group knows they are being observed by a psychologist
What is a naturalistic observation?
Researcher observers participants in their own environment and there is no deliberate manipulation of the IV
What are the advantages of naturalistic observations?
Participants usually unaware of observation - reduced chance of observer effect
High mundane realism & ecological validity
Useful when deliberate manipulation of IV is difficult
What are the disadvantages of naturalistic observations?
Can’t control EV
Difficult determining cause & effect
Risk of observer bias
What is observer bias?
When the observer knows the aims of the study which influences their observation
What is a controlled observation?
Researcher observes participants in a controlled environment allowing for manipulation of the IV
What are the advantages of controlled observations?
Can control IV
Cause & effect are easily determined
What are the disadvantages of controlled observations?
Lower mundane realism & ecological validity
Observer effect may occur (if overt)
Risk of observer bias
What are behavioural categories?
Specific and observable behaviours recorded during an observation
What are the advantages of behavioural categories?
Allows observers to have a clear focus on what to look for
Provides data which is easier to analyse
Allows for the proposal of a testable hypothesis
What are the 2 ways to avoid observer bias?
- Use 2 observers
- Intra-observer reliability (record and rewatch)
How can using 2 observers remove observer bias?
They observe at the same time but record findings independently
Their recording are correlated to show their level of agreement
What is intra-observer reliability?
Observation is recorded and so can be watched several times
What are the different types of sampling during an observation?
Event sampling
Time sampling
What is event sampling?
Recording every time a certain behaviour occurs in target groups
What is time sampling?
Recording all behaviours in a given time frame
