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Psychology (AS Level) > Observation, controlling of variables, sampling of participants > Flashcards

Observation, controlling of variables, sampling of participants Flashcards

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1
Q

what must researchers do before observing people or animals?

A

they create a behavioural checklist (or ethogram for non-humans)

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2
Q

describe a behavioural checklist

A

researchers name each behaviour that they expect to see, a picture of the behaviour happening and a brief description is also useful.

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3
Q

what is the point of a behavioural checklist?

A

it is to make sure that if there is more than one observer, they are looking for the same behaviours

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4
Q

what is a behavioural checklist for non-humans called?

A

ethogram

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5
Q

What is a pilot observation?

A

when a behavioural checklist or ethogram is tested before the main observation to ensure that all potential behaviours are covered and the observers can use the checklist successfully, this is always done.

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6
Q

what is it called when a behavioural checklist or ethogram is tested before the main observation?

A

pilot observation

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7
Q

how many ways are there in which an observer can sample behaviours?

A

two

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8
Q

name the two methods in which an observer can sample behaviours

A

time sampling

event sampling

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9
Q

describe time sampling

A

when behaviours are recorded in specified time intervals

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10
Q

describe event sampling

A

when every time a behaviour is seen in the person being observed it is tallied, a set time period is decided before the recording begins

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11
Q

how many types of time sampling are there?

A

three

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12
Q

what is it called when behaviours are recorded in specified time intervals?

A

time sampling

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13
Q

what is it called when every time a behaviour is seen in the person being observed it is tallied?

A

event sampling

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14
Q

describe an instantaneous scan and provide an example

A

the behaviour that is being shown by the person being observed is recorded at the start of each set time interval. for example, every 10 seconds whatever behaviour being shown by a child in the playground is recorded.

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15
Q

describe a predominant activity scan and provide an example

A

the observer records the most frequent behaviour shown by the person being observed in a set time period (eg. in a 10-second period)

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16
Q

describe a one-zero scan

A

the observer records whether each behaviour happened (a 1) or did not happen (a 0) within the time period set. Frequency of that behaviour is not recorded.

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17
Q

what kind of scan is it when the behaviour that is being shown by the person being observed is recorded at the start of each set time interval. for example, every 10 seconds whatever behaviour being shown by a child in the playground is recorded.

A

an instantaneous scan

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18
Q

what kind of scan is it when the observer records the most frequent behaviour shown by the person being observed in a set time period (eg. in a 10-second period)

A

a predominant activity scan

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19
Q

what kind of scan is it when the observer records whether each behaviour happened (a 1) or did not happen (a 0) within the time period set. Frequency of that behaviour is not recorded.

A

a one-zero scan

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20
Q

name the two strengths of observations in general

A

if participants are unaware that they are being observed then they should behave naturally. this increases the ecological validity of the observation.
as behaviours are counted and hence quantitative the data can be analysed statistically with minimal bias.

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21
Q

name two weaknesses of observations in general.

A

if the participants are aware that they are being observed then they may not act naturally but show more socially desirable behaviours. this reduces the validity.
it may be difficult to replicate the study if it is naturalistic as many variables cannot be controlled this reduces the reliability.

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22
Q

what is a covert observation?

A

when the participants do not know that a researcher is observing them

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23
Q

what is an overt observation?

A

when the participants are aware that they are being observed by a researcher

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24
Q

what is a participant observation?

A

when researchers become part of the group they wish to observe. researchers can be overt or covert about this.

25
Q

what are the two strengths of participant observations?

A

usually the participants being observed are in a real-life setting so there is ecological validity.
as observers are involved with the group they are more likely to understand the motives and reasons for behaviours. this increases the validity

26
Q

what are the two weaknesses of participant observations?

A

there are ethical problems as the informed consent has not been sought or given.
the presence of an outsider can initially change the behaviours of the group members. this lowers the validity.

27
Q

what is a non-participant observation?

A

when the researcher is ‘away’ from the people or animals they are observing. this can be overt or covert.

28
Q

what are the two strengths of non-participant observations?

A

participants behaviour will not be affected by the knowing that they are being watched.
researchers observations are likely to be objective as they are detached from the people they are observing.

29
Q

what is the weakness of non-participant observations?

A

it can be difficult to make detailed observations to produce qualitative data that allows understanding as to why the behaviours are happening.

30
Q

what is a structured observation?

A

where the observer has created a behavioural checklist

31
Q

what is the strength of structured observations?

A

the coding system (via the behavioural checklist) allows objective quantitative data to be collected. this can then be analysed statistically

32
Q

what is the weakness of structured observations?

A

the sampling of observed behaviour tends to be restrictive (e.g time sampling) and does not give an idea of the reasons as to why the behaviours are occurring.

33
Q

what is an unstructured observation?

A

when the observer notes all the behaviours they can see in qualitative form over a period of time

34
Q

what is the strength of unstructured observations?

A

they can generate in-depth, rich qualitative data that can help explain why the behaviours are occurring

35
Q

what is the weakness of unstructured observations?

A

observers may easily be drawn to noticeable or eye-catching behaviours that may not fully represent all the behaviours occurring during the observation period.

36
Q

what is a naturalistic observation?

A

when observations take place in a person’s or animal’s natural environment

37
Q

what are the two strengths of naturalistic observations?

A

as participants are unaware that they are being watched, they should behave naturally removing the chances of demand characteristics affecting their behaviour
as the observation takes place in a natural setting for participants, there are high levels of ecological validity

38
Q

what are the two weaknesses of naturalistic observations?

A

there is very little control over extraneous variables, which makes it difficult to draw cause and effect conclusions about observed behaviours.
replication may be difficult as there cannot be a totally standardised procedure, this makes it difficult to test for reliability.

39
Q

what is a controlled observation?

A

they take place in a controlled setting (eg. a laboratory with the observers behind a one-way mirror so they cannot be seen observing)

40
Q

what are the two strengths of a controlled observation?

A

as the set-up is controlled, the observers can be more confidant about what is causing any of the participants behaviours.
there is less risk of extraneous variables affecting participants

41
Q

what are the two weaknesses of controlled observations?

A

carrying out observations in an artificial setting can easily influence participants’ behaviour.
as the setting is artificial, the findings may lack ecological validity.

42
Q

what are extraneous variables?

A

variables that influence the relationship between the IV and DV

43
Q

what are two ways that researchers can help control participant variables?

A

they can randomise participants to each level of the IV.

using repeated measures designs where possible.

44
Q

what are three ways that can help researchers control situational variables?

A

standardising the situation where the study takes place. (controlling the temperature, noise levels etc)
if using repeated measures, researchers can ensure that counterbalancing is used.
techniques like the double-blind technique can be used. This means that the researcher does not know the aim of the study and simply follows a standardised procedure. also participants are not told anything about the condition they are in

45
Q

give an example of counterbalancing

A

50 percent of participants do A level then B of the IV and the other 50 per cent do level B then A

46
Q

what is an alternative name for counterbalancing?

A

ABBA design

47
Q

when does counterbalancing have to be used?

A

when you use repeated measures.

48
Q

what are the two strengths of quantitative data?

A

it allows easier comparison and statistical analysis to take place.
numerical data are objective and scientific so there is only minimal chance of psychologists miscalculating the data and drawing invalid conclusions

49
Q

what are the two weaknesses of quantitative data?

A

as the data is numerical, it may miss out on valuable info.
using quantitative data can be seen as reductionist as it reduces complex ideas and behaviours to a number or percentage

50
Q

what are the two strengths of qualitative data?

A

in-depth detailed accounts are collected. the data represents what the participant believes therefore it is not reductionist.
as the data comes from the participant we can understand the why.

51
Q

what are the two weaknesses of qualitative data?

A

the interpretation of the data could be subjective.

there may be researcher bias: the researcher may only select data that fits into the hypothesis or aim of the study.

52
Q

what is opportunity sampling?

A

it involves recruiting participants who happen to be around at the time

53
Q

what is the strength of opportunity sampling?

A

large numbers can be obtained relatively quickly

54
Q

what is the weakness of opportunity sampling?

A

researchers are unlikely to gain a wide variety of participants

55
Q

what is random sampling?

A

this involves every participant in the TP having an equal chance of being chosen.

56
Q

what is the strength of random sampling?

A

researchers can generalise to the TP.

57
Q

what is the weakness of random sampling?

A

obtaining details of the TP to draw the sample may be difficult. a representation may not be guaranteed.

58
Q

what is the strength of volunteer sampling?

A

people are more likely to participate if they have already volunteered so the drop out rate is lower.

59
Q

what is the weakness of volunteer sampling?

A

researchers are unlikely to gain a wide variety of participants to allow for generalisation because participants will only be of a certain type (people who will volunteer to take part in a particular study)

Psychology (AS Level) (5 decks)

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