Observation (1) Flashcards
Observation I carried out
.counting number of students texting vs on the phone (visual vs auditory communication)
.29 visual vs 1 auditory
5 key questions
who what where when how
the 7 coding frames
focus utility operational definition objectivity context independence exhaustive
coding frame: focus
concentrate on behaviours that are relevant
coding frame: utility
is it possible to use the information recorded?
coding frame: operational definition
ensure you can identify which behaviours do and do not fall into the category
coding frame: objectivity
your definition should not require observer to make inferences about participant
coding frame: context independence
behavioural codes should be consistent over different contexts
coding frame: exhaustive
.codes should cover all possible behaviours
.may need a ‘waste basket’ category
coding frame: mutually exclusive
recording one code should preclude needing to record another simultaneously
naturalistic observation
natural setting e.g Piliavin
2 naturalistic observation pros
increased ecological validity
no demand characteristics
can record unexpected behaviours
2 naturalistic observation cons
more uncontrollable variables
harder to observe
harder to be ethical e.g consent/debrief etc
controlled observation and e.g
controlled environment e.g Milgram
2 controlled observation pros
controls more variables
easier to observe
easier to be ethical
2 controlled observation cons
decreased ecological validity
demand characteristics risk
participant observation and e.g
observer goes undercover e.g Piliavin
2 participant observation pros
may see behaviours not visible to public
deeper insight into reasoning
2 participant observation cons
difficult to record data while youre part of a group
unethical
non participant observation and e.g
observed by someone outside the group e.g Milgram
2 non participant observation pros
more ethical - not impacting on participants
easier to physically record the data
2 non participant observation cons
lacks deeper insight so could make incorrect assumptions
still not quite ethical
covert (undisclosed) observation and e.g
participants unaware of being recorded e.g Piliavin, Bandura
2 covert observation pros
no demand characteristics
can easily observe in a range of places
2 covert observation cons
less ethical - no i.consent
difficult not to draw attention still
overt (disclosed) observation and e.g
participants aware of being recorded e.g Kohlberg
2 overt observation pros
ethical
easy to physically record - not worried about getting caught
2 overt observation cons
demand characteristics
harder to gain sample
event sampling def
tally recorded every time a pre-determined behaviour occurs
3 time sampling methods
one-zero sampling
instantaneous scan sampling
predominant activity sampling
one-zero sampling
during each time interval, a record is made of does behaviour happen or not
instantaneous scan sampling
at the end of an interval , a record is made of what behaviour is occurring
predominant activity sampling
continuous observation. record made of what behaviour occurred most in that time interval (estimation)
2 event sampling pros
.records amounts, not just if it happens or not
.more accurate
.better for non frequent behaviours
2 event sampling cons
.may miss behaviours if recording/watching at same time
.time consuming
.no info on when
3 time sampling pros
.different ways .easy to analyse .can see how it changes over time .see when behaviour occurs .less effort/concentration required
2 time sampling cons
.miss out some behaviours
.not fully representative
presenting event sampling
pie chart
presenting time sampling
line graph
time along x axis
category along y axis
