observation techniques

Question 1

what is observation?

Answer 1

watching and recording behaviour

Question 2

what are the 2 main types of observation?

Answer 2

-participant observation (researcher is actively involved)
-non-participant observation (researcher isn’t actively involved)

Question 3

what are the 2 sub-types of observation?

Answer 3

-overt (participants are aware they’re being observed)
-covert (participants aren’t aware they’re being observed)

Question 4

what are the advantages of observational techniques?

Answer 4

-high external validity (natural settings)
-practical method (can be used when manipulation of variables would be unethical)
-few demand characteristics

Question 5

what are the weaknesses of observational techniques?

Answer 5

-cause and effect can’t be easily established due to uncontrolled variables
-observer bias
-replication is impossible
-ethics (privacy and informed consent)
-practical problems (eg difficult to categorise behaviours effectively)

Question 6

what are the 3 ways of gathering data in observational design?

Answer 6

-behavioural categories
-sampling procedures
-inter-observer reliability

Question 7

what are behavioural categories?

Answer 7

-dividing target behaviours into subsets of behaviours through use of a coding system
-should reflect what is being studied

Question 8

what are sampling procedures?

Answer 8

two types:
-event sampling (counting the number of times a behaviour occurs in an individual)
-time sampling (counting behaviour in a set time frame)

Question 9

what is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 9

independent observers code behaviour the same way, lessening the chances of observer bias
-easy to achieve if behavioural categories are clearly defined