observation studies

Question 1

define Naturalistic observation

Answer 1

observing people in a real-life setting​

Question 2

define controlled observation

Answer 2

observing people in an environment that has been set up in some way​

Question 3

define Overt observation

Answer 3

observing people with their knowledge​

Question 4

define Covert observation

Answer 4

observing people without them knowing

Question 5

define Participant observation

Answer 5

observing people while also participating in their activities.​

Question 6

define Non-participant observation

Answer 6

observing people from a distance.​

Question 7

define inter-observer reliability

Answer 7

The extent to which there is agreement between two or more observers involved in observations of a behaviour, to make sure the results are reliable we would check inter observer reliability. ​

Question 8

define Reliability

Answer 8

a measure of whether something stays the same, is consistent. ​

Question 9

state the 4 ways to check inter observer reliability

Answer 9

1. create behaviour categories (behaviour checklist) ​
2. all observers watch the same behaviours ​
3. observers compare their results and talk about any differences. A correlation could be used to look at the differences in observations ​
4. if the observations are not similar then the behaviour categories need to be amended or rewritten altogether. ​

Question 10

strength and weaknesses of observations

Answer 10

+ Observations provide the researcher with highly valid data ​
+observing people particularly in naturalistic settings gives a good idea of how we would behave in a real life setting
-Ethics is an issue, we need to strike a balance between getting natural valid behaviour and invading people’s privacy
-Observer bias. This is when what the observers expect to see influences what they see and record. ​ ​

Question 11

define validity

Answer 11

refers to whether a measure actually measures what it claims to be measuring.​

Question 12

define categories of behavior

Answer 12

When a target behaviour (for example, aggression) is broken down into units that can be observed and recorded, such as number of kicks, number of punches, etc

Question 13

define observation studies

Answer 13

A researcher watches or listens to participants engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied. The observations are recorded. Observational methods are often used to measure the dependent variable in an experiment.