observation

Question 1

What is an observation?

Answer 1

Observe behavior of a sample and look for patterns

Question 2

How can observations be used?

Answer 2

It is used as a part of another research method such as a lab study

Question 3

What is participant reactivity?

Answer 3

The type of reactivity in which individuals modify. An aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed (Hawthorne)

Question 4

what’s another word for participant reactivity?

Answer 4

Hawthorne effect

Question 5

What is inter-rater reliability?

Answer 5

There should be at least two observers because single observer may miss important details.

Correlation of the result should be as close to 1 as possible (0.8 to be reliable)

Question 6

What are naturalistic observations?

Answer 6

Observation of behavior in its natural setting

Question 7

What are the strengths of naturalistic observations ?

Answer 7

High level of ecological validity

Less likely to be affected by demand characteristics as they are no aware they are being studied

Question 8

What are the limitations of naturalistic observations?

Answer 8

Little control of ev
Replication I often not possible

Question 9

What are controlled observations?

Answer 9

Observation taking place in a controlled setting, usually behind a one way mirror

Question 10

What are the strengths of controlled observations?

Answer 10

There is less risk of ev affecting the behaviors as it is in a controlled environment

Question 11

What are the limitations of controlled observations?

Answer 11

The setting is artificial – lack ecological validity

Question 12

What are structured observations?

Answer 12

The researcher creates a behavioral checklist before the observation.
Behavior can be sampled using time or event sampling

Question 13

What is a behavioural checklist?

Answer 13

record the frequency of those behaviors

Question 14

Criteria for a behavioural check list?

Answer 14

Observable
Have no need for inferences to be made
Cover all possible components behaviours
Must be mutually exclusive

Question 15

What is a pilot study?

Answer 15

Small scale study carried out before the actual research. So researchers can adjust the study if there’s any problems

Question 16

What is event sampling?

Answer 16

Counting each time a particular behaviour is observed

Question 17

What are the strengths of event smapling?

Answer 17

Useful when the target behaviour or event happens infrequently and could be missed if the time sampling was used

Question 18

What are the limitations of event samplings?

Answer 18

If its too frequent the researcher could not record it all

Question 19

What is time sampling?

Answer 19

Record behaviour a timed intervals

Question 20

What are the strengths of time sampling?

Answer 20

Observer has more time to record

Question 21

What are the limitations of time sampling?

Answer 21

Some behaviours could be missed outside the intervals

Question 22

What are the strengths of structured observations?

Answer 22

The behavioural checklist allows objective quantifiable data to be collected which can be analysis

Increase the reliability (inter observer reliability) bc theres more than one observer

Question 23

What are the limitations of structured observations?

Answer 23

The pre-existing Behavioural categories can be restrictive and does not always explain why the behaviour is happening

Question 24

What are unstructured observations?

Answer 24

The observer note down all the behaviours they can see in a qualitative form (no behavioural checklist used)

Question 25

what are the strengths of unstructured obersvations?

Answer 25

rich qualitative data

Question 26

what are the limitations of unstructured observations?

Answer 26

Observer can get drawn to eye catching behaviours that may not be representive of all behaviours occurring

Question 27

What are overt observations?

Answer 27

Participant are aware that their behaviour is being studied, the observer is obvious

Question 28

what are the strengths of overt observations?

Answer 28

more ethical

Question 29

what are limitations of overt observations?

Answer 29

Participant reactivity (they will act different because they are being watched)

Question 30

What are covert observations?

Answer 30

Participants are unaware that they are being studied

Question 31

what are the strengths of covert observations?

Answer 31

higher validity

Question 32

what are the limitations of covert observations?

Answer 32

unethical

Question 33

what are participant observations?

Answer 33

The observer becomes involved in the participant group and may not be known to other p’s

Question 34

What are the strengths of participant observations?

Answer 34

Researcher can get a deep understanding of the behaviours of the group

Question 35

What are the limitations?

Answer 35

Researcher may lose objectivity as they a part of the group Presence of the researcher might influence the behaviour in the group

Question 36

What are non-participant observations?

Answer 36

The observer is separate from the participant group that are being observed

Question 37

What are the strengths of non participant observation?

Answer 37

Researchers observations are likely to be more objective as they are not influenced by the group

Question 38

What are the limitations of non participant observation ?

Answer 38

Harder to produce qualitive data to understand reasons