Observation, controlling of variables, sampling of participants Flashcards
what must researchers do before observing people or animals?
they create a behavioural checklist (or ethogram for non-humans)
describe a behavioural checklist
researchers name each behaviour that they expect to see, a picture of the behaviour happening and a brief description is also useful.
what is the point of a behavioural checklist?
it is to make sure that if there is more than one observer, they are looking for the same behaviours
what is a behavioural checklist for non-humans called?
ethogram
What is a pilot observation?
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.
what is it called when a behavioural checklist or ethogram is tested before the main observation?
pilot observation
how many ways are there in which an observer can sample behaviours?
two
name the two methods in which an observer can sample behaviours
time sampling
event sampling
describe time sampling
when behaviours are recorded in specified time intervals
describe event sampling
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
how many types of time sampling are there?
three
what is it called when behaviours are recorded in specified time intervals?
time sampling
what is it called when every time a behaviour is seen in the person being observed it is tallied?
event sampling
describe an instantaneous scan and provide an example
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.
describe a predominant activity scan and provide an example
the observer records the most frequent behaviour shown by the person being observed in a set time period (eg. in a 10-second period)
describe a one-zero scan
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.
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.
an instantaneous scan
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 predominant activity scan
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 one-zero scan
name the two strengths of observations in general
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.
name two weaknesses of observations in general.
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.
what is a covert observation?
when the participants do not know that a researcher is observing them
what is an overt observation?
when the participants are aware that they are being observed by a researcher