Methods of data collection: observational tecniques

Question 1

what is an observational technique?

Answer 1

when reserchers observe participants, and measure or record thir behaviour.

Question 2

What are the 3 things researchers need to keep in mind when conducting observation? (in order)

Answer 2

1. Type of observation
2. awareness of participants
3. role of the researcher.

Question 3

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 3

When researchers conduct observations of participants in a controlled environment.

The researcher selects which participants to observe, and standardises the procedure.

Question 4

what are the pros of controlled observations?

Answer 4

researcher has good control over extraneous variables, thus leading to high internal validity.

Question 5

What are the cons of controlled observations?

Answer 5

study might lack ecological validity, since participants dont behave how they would behave in real life in a well controlled environment.

Question 6

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 6

When researchers observe, and record participants behaviour in an everyday life setting.

Question 7

what are the prost of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 7

study has ecological validity.

Question 8

what are the cons of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 8

Hard to control extraneous variables, this leading to low internal validity, and harder to establish a cause and effect relationship.

Question 9

What is an overt observation?

Answer 9

Participants know they are being observed for a study.

Question 10

what is a covert observation?

Answer 10

participants dont know they are being observed for a study.

Question 11

compare overt observation, to covert observations.

Answer 11

1. In a covert observation, participants are less likely to display social desirability bias, or be influenced by investigator effects, since they dont know they are being watched.

2.covert observations are less ethical than overt observations, because participants cant give informed consent.

Question 12

What is a participant observation?

Answer 12

Researcher also takes part in activity that participants are doing.

Question 13

What is a NON - participant observation/

Answer 13

researcher doesnt take part in activity that participants are doing.

He only observes.

Question 14

Compare participant observations, with non - participant observations.

Answer 14

1. In participant observations, the researcher gains more insight and understanding into the behaviour of the participants, since he actually interacts with them.

2.in participant observations, the participants are more likely to be influenced by investigator effects.

Question 15

what are the two things researchers need to keep in mind when observing behaviour?

Answer 15

1. How to categorise the behaviour.
2. How to record the behaviour.

Question 16

what is a behavioural category?

Answer 16

It means when researchers break down the behaviour they want to measure, into smaller behaviours.

This helps researcher operationalise their dependant variable.

Question 17

what is a sampling procedure?

Answer 17

methods of recording observable behaviour.

Question 18

what is even sampling?

Answer 18

When researchers count up everytime a specific behaviour has occured.

Question 19

What is time sampling?

Answer 19

When researchers categorise behaviours at regular intervals.

Question 20

When do we use time sampling?

Answer 20

when behaviour occurs to frequently for them to be counted., or when there are alot of behaviours that we want to study.

Question 21

What are the two weaknesses of observational techniques?

Answer 21

1. Observer bias: Researcher may not be objective. They tend to see what they expect to see.

Researchers that are affected by observer bias, might not get the same results as other researchers conducting the same experiemnt, which measn the study might lack external reliability.

2. People might act a certain way for may other reasons.

Question 22

How can we insure reliability, and explain it.

Answer 22

Inter–rater reliability test: when we asess external reliability, by getting multiple researchers to observe the same event , and looking at how similar their measurements are.