Observation

Question 1

Research aim

Answer 1

The concept of the researcher wants to investigate. This is usually fairly specific as a it will reflect what the researcher is directly wanting to find out about.

Question 2

Research question

Answer 2

This must actually be a question with a? At the end.

Question 3

Five. Key question of observation

Answer 3

Who (age [16 or above], gender, from where, number [max 20]) 
What (structured observation, unstructured observation)[operationalised] (coding frame, raw data table)
Where (only acceptable in public situation where those observer would expect to be observed by stranger)
When (the day during the week, the time during the day, season of the year)
How?

Question 4

Definition of unstructured observation

Answer 4

Nonfocused
Generating description /qualitative data of the range of behaviour going on

Question 5

Definition of structured observation

Answer 5

The observation of behaviour is guided by the use of specific behavioural category, define Prior to the observation through the development of what is known as a coding frame

Question 6

Coding frame

Answer 6

Allowed of server to focus on specific behavioural event and the frequency, with which they occur

Question 7

Guidelines of developing a coding frame

Answer 7

Focus: concentrate on behaviour that are relevant to hypothesis
Utility : consider whether has a record the information it was supposed to use it. If not, if you change your skin, if the item is essential, or leave it out if not
Operational definition : ensure that it is possible from the definition to decide which behaviour do not fall into the category
Objectivity : your definition should not require the observer to make inference about the party spend their behaviour should be explicit code action, rather than state
Context independence : were possible, behavioural codes should be consistent over different contexr
Exhaustive: codes should cover of possible behaviour. This mean Tate and not record, waste basket category.
Mutually exclusive : at any time in the recording of one code should preclude the need to record another simultaneously. This may however, be impractical or in appropriate in some situation.

Question 8

Advantage and disadvantage of structured and unstructured observation

Answer 8

Structure

Advantage
Quantitative data, allowed, analyse and compare
Higher reliability , clear, category, consistent, standardise

Disadvantage
Lack of insight a reason why for our behaviour/may not fully understand why behaviour are happening
(Both)
Lower validity , may missed out important information so we are not measuring what we want (if its too precise)
Unable to spot out unusual behaviour

Vise versa

Question 9

Advantage and disadvantage of using CCTV for observation

Answer 9

Advantage
Stop and replay
Less limitation in vision
From different part /aspect, allowed full view

Disadvantage
Can not see anyone have the back facing camera
Too many people at once, cannot observe

Question 10

advantage and disadvantage of participant and non participant observation

Answer 10

participant
advantage
- collect more data as you are in amongst the group (better view, more detail)
- access certain groups (e.g. prison/ hospital) which cant do non participant observation
Disadvantage
- miss out some info depending on the setting as you are in the same place as the participant
- social desirability bias (participant may change their acti to fit in with the group)

non participant
advantage
- less chance of the researcher affecting other behaviour as they are not in amongst the group when data collect , natural behaviour. increase validity
- easier to conduct using cctv camera
Disadvantage
- missout behaviour as they are not with the participant
- difficult to investigate some topic without being there at the time of the research

Question 11

definition of participant observation

Answer 11

the researcher to be involved with those that are being observed

Question 12

definition of non participant observation

Answer 12

the researcher could try to stand apart from what they are observing and look at it from the outside

Question 13

Advantage and disadvantage of covert and overt observation

Answer 13

covert
A- high construct validity (participant are not aware they are being observe so should t have change their behaviour, natural)
D- ethical issue (no right to withdraw, maybe protection from harm)
*consented - in public place

vise versa

Question 14

definition of covert observation

Answer 14

participant are unaware that they are being observed {cover}

Question 15

definition of overt observation

Answer 15

participant know that they are being observed {open}

Question 16

definition of event sampling

Answer 16

The observer keeps count of each time a particular pr-determined behaviour occur thorugh out the whole period of time of observation

Question 17

definition and type of time sampling

Answer 17

the time period is broke up int a series of time interval, and behaviours are related to these time interval

one-zero sampling: during each time interval, a record is made if the chosen behaviour occur at all. no further record is made if that behaviour occur again with in that interval

Instantaneous scan sampling: no record made until the end of the time interval.at this instant a record is made of any behaviour that are occuring

Predominant activity sampling: observation is continuous and an estimate is made in relation to the activity that occupied most of the preceding time interval.

Question 18

advantage and disadvantage of event sampling

Answer 18

event sampling
A - record data continuously –> high validity (make a note of what is happening for the whole interval time period)
D - difficult for researcher (they might lose focus, not recording everything, low validity)

Time sampling
A- less chance of researcher losing focus as they only record at certain time interval
D- miss behaviour as they are not recording information between the time point

Question 19

advantage and disadvantage of naturalistic and controlled observation

Answer 19

Naturalistic
A- enable the researcher to see the real life behaviour , high validity
D- difficult to retain clear sight of all the behaviour that occur, so might miss out
- lack of controls, extraneous variable might affect construct validity

Question 20

researcher/ observer bias definition

Answer 20

if the researcher has a particular expectation of what they are likely to see during the observation period, they could be more likely to record the data in the way they expected

Question 21

researcher / observer effect definition

Answer 21

if the participant are aware of the observer watching them then it may result in the participant changing their behaviour and the data recorded not being a truly accurate representation of what individuals would do in the given situation.

Question 22

advantage and disadvantage to get an independent researcher to carry out the observation

Answer 22

a- ensure result are objective, not affect by the researcher bias
d- extra effort/ expense, and no guarantee they won’t affect by own biases/ prejudice

Question 23

advantage and disadvantage of train the observer

Answer 23

a - ensure they are consistent with one another in how to apply coding frame
d- even with training, some behaviour not anticipate/ unclear

Question 24

advantage and disadvantage of pilot study

Answer 24

a - bring out what issue like to be (unanticipate behaviour/ how to categorize)
d- not all behaviour can be crop up , some unecpected

Question 25

Definition of naturalistic observation

Answer 25

Experiment carried out in natural environment

Question 26

Definition of controlled observation

Answer 26

Observation carryout in laboratory setting, where are the extraneous variable is controlled