Observation

Question 1

Research aim

Answer 1

The concept that the researcher wants to investigate

Question 2

Research question

Answer 2

The question version of the aim, that the researcher is looking to answer

Question 3

Coding frame

Answer 3

Tables that are used to record data within a structured observation

Question 4

Behavioural categories

Answer 4

Certain behaviours the observer is looking out for and recording

Question 5

Structured observation

Answer 5

-Has set behaviours the observer is looking out for
-Produces quantitative data
-Eg-Bandura

Question 6

Structured observation advantages

Answer 6

-Creates quantitative data which is objective and easy to analyse
-Easy to conduct/less effort for observers to record

Question 7

Structured observation disadvantages

Answer 7

-The coding frame may not include all displayed behaviours
-Lacks detail

Question 8

Unstructured observation

Answer 8

-Has no pre-planned behaviours to look for
-Produces qualitative data
-Eg-Stanford prison experiment

Question 9

Unstructured observation advantages

Answer 9

-Gets more detail
-Behaviours that weren’t expected can still be recorded by the observer

Question 10

Unstructured observation disadvantages

Answer 10

-The data collected is more subjective
-Takes more time and effort for data to be recorded

Question 11

Naturalistic observation

Answer 11

-An observation that is carried out in a participants typical environment
-Eg-Piliavin

Question 12

Naturalistic observation advantages

Answer 12

-High ecological validity
-People may be more likely to act naturally in their typical environment

Question 13

Naturalistic observation disadvantages

Answer 13

-Could be extraneous variables from the environment
-It could be hard to see and record all the data based on the surroundings

Question 14

Controlled observation

Answer 14

-An observation that takes place in a lab setting, manipulated by the researcher
-Eg-Milgram, Bandura

Question 15

Controlled observation advantages

Answer 15

-Higher levels of controls over extraneous variables
-Easy to set up environment for ease of viewing behaviours

Question 16

Controlled observation disadvantages

Answer 16

-Low ecological validity
-People may alter their behaviour due to the unnatural setting

Question 17

Participant observation

Answer 17

-The observer is working within the same location as the participants
-Eg-Piliavin

Question 18

Participant observation advantages

Answer 18

-View less likely to be obstructed
-Can get more insider information being up close to participants

Question 19

Participant observation disadvantages

Answer 19

-Time consuming to set up
-Could be dangerous
-Could lose objectivity if become friends with participants

Question 20

Non-participant observation

Answer 20

-The observer is working in a different location to the participants
-Looking through CCTV/one way mirror
-Eg-Milgram, Bandura

Question 21

Non-participant observation advantages

Answer 21

-Less risk of observer bias
-Less safety concerns
-Less time to set up

Question 22

Non-participant observation disadvantages

Answer 22

-Less control
-Likely to have an obstructed view in some way

Question 23

Covert observation

Answer 23

-Participants are unaware they are being watched
-Eg-Piliavin, Bandura, Milgram

Question 24

Covert observation advantages

Answer 24

-Participants are more natural in their behaviour, which increases validity
-Takes less effort from researchers

Question 25

Covert observation disadvantages

Answer 25

-Breaks ethical guidelines
-Can be hard to record data without breaking cover

Question 26

Overt observation

Answer 26

-Participants are aware they are being watched
-Eg-Love Island, Louis Theroux, Stanford prison experiment

Question 27

Time sampling

Answer 27

Recording what is observable at a given time interval during the observation period

Question 28

One-zero sampling

Answer 28

-A recording is made if a set behaviour is displayed during the interval
-No further recording is made if the behaviour occurs again in the interval

Question 29

Instantaneous scan sampling