observation Flashcards
What is an observation?
Observe behavior of a sample and look for patterns
How can observations be used?
It is used as a part of another research method such as a lab study
What is participant reactivity?
The type of reactivity in which individuals modify. An aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed (Hawthorne)
what’s another word for participant reactivity?
Hawthorne effect
What is inter-rater reliability?
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)
What are naturalistic observations?
Observation of behavior in its natural setting
What are the strengths of naturalistic observations ?
High level of ecological validity
Less likely to be affected by demand characteristics as they are no aware they are being studied
What are the limitations of naturalistic observations?
Little control of ev
Replication I often not possible
What are controlled observations?
Observation taking place in a controlled setting, usually behind a one way mirror
What are the strengths of controlled observations?
There is less risk of ev affecting the behaviors as it is in a controlled environment
What are the limitations of controlled observations?
The setting is artificial – lack ecological validity
What are structured observations?
The researcher creates a behavioral checklist before the observation.
Behavior can be sampled using time or event sampling
What is a behavioural checklist?
record the frequency of those behaviors
Criteria for a behavioural check list?
Observable
Have no need for inferences to be made
Cover all possible components behaviours
Must be mutually exclusive
What is a pilot study?
Small scale study carried out before the actual research. So researchers can adjust the study if there’s any problems
What is event sampling?
Counting each time a particular behaviour is observed
What are the strengths of event smapling?
Useful when the target behaviour or event happens infrequently and could be missed if the time sampling was used
What are the limitations of event samplings?
If its too frequent the researcher could not record it all
What is time sampling?
Record behaviour a timed intervals
What are the strengths of time sampling?
Observer has more time to record
What are the limitations of time sampling?
Some behaviours could be missed outside the intervals
What are the strengths of structured observations?
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
What are the limitations of structured observations?
The pre-existing Behavioural categories can be restrictive and does not always explain why the behaviour is happening
What are unstructured observations?
The observer note down all the behaviours they can see in a qualitative form (no behavioural checklist used)
what are the strengths of unstructured obersvations?
rich qualitative data
what are the limitations of unstructured observations?
Observer can get drawn to eye catching behaviours that may not be representive of all behaviours occurring
What are overt observations?
Participant are aware that their behaviour is being studied, the observer is obvious
what are the strengths of overt observations?
more ethical
what are limitations of overt observations?
Participant reactivity (they will act different because they are being watched)
What are covert observations?
Participants are unaware that they are being studied
what are the strengths of covert observations?
higher validity
what are the limitations of covert observations?
unethical
what are participant observations?
The observer becomes involved in the participant group and may not be known to other p’s
What are the strengths of participant observations?
Researcher can get a deep understanding of the behaviours of the group
What are the limitations?
Researcher may lose objectivity as they a part of the group
Presence of the researcher might influence the behaviour in the group
What are non-participant observations?
The observer is separate from the participant group that are being observed
What are the strengths of non participant observation?
Researchers observations are likely to be more objective as they are not influenced by the group
What are the limitations of non participant observation ?
Harder to produce qualitive data to understand reasons
