Observational Methods

Question 1

What are cofounding variables?

Answer 1

extraneous variables which affect outcome of results

Question 2

What are 2 examples of cofounding variables?

Answer 2

ppt characteristics
situational variables

Question 3

What is expectancy effect?

Answer 3

occurs if the ppt expects a certain results so unconsciously affects outcome

Question 4

What is a confounding variable found in between-subjects design?

Answer 4

Constancy = trying to keep groups similar
individual differences

Question 5

What are 3 ways to make groups more similar in between-subjects design?

Answer 5

1 - natural group design
2- matched group design
3- random allocation

Question 6

What is natural group design?

Answer 6

example of non-smoker or smokers
naturally occurring groups that don’t need to be manipulated
But don’t keep confounding variables constant

Question 7

What is matched group?

Answer 7

when you match ppts based on certain characteristics like age, gender

Question 8

What is random allocation?

Answer 8

randomly assign ppts to a group
sizes of groups should be similar

Question 9

What is a cofounding variable found in a within-subjects design?

Answer 9

Order effects e.g boredom. habituation, sensitisation

Question 10

How do you deal with cofounding variables in a within-subjects design?

Answer 10

counterbalancing

Question 11

What is a incomplete within-subjects design?

Answer 11

ppts experiences condition once
order of administration varies between ppts
Practice effects are balanced between ppts

Question 12

What is a complete within-subjects design?

Answer 12

ppts experiences condition multiple times
Order of administration varies within ppts
Practice effects are balanced within ppts

Question 13

What are the 2 counterbalancing methods that are specific to complete within-subjects design?

Answer 13

Block randomisation
ABBA design

Question 14

What is block randomisation?

Answer 14

a block consists of all conditions
ppts complete each block
each time the conditions are within a different, random order

Question 15

What is the ABBA design?

Answer 15

present one random sequence of conditions to ppt
then present them with opposite sequence

Question 16

What is observation without intervention?

Answer 16

using a naturalistic observation
behaviours occur naturally
passive recording of behaviour
e.g to go a coffee shop and count people there

Question 17

What is observation with intervention?

Answer 17

when researcher creates and manipulates environment

Question 18

What are the 3 types of observation with intervention?

Answer 18

ppt overt observation
ppt covert observation
structured observation
field experiment

Question 19

What is a strength of overt observation?

Answer 19

can openly record data
ethical
natural setting

Question 20

What is a weakness of overt observation?

Answer 20

observer influence
social desirability

Question 21

What is a strength of covert observation?

Answer 21

minimises observer influence
access to particular social groups
ecological validity

Question 22

What is a weakness of covert observation?

Answer 22

ethical issues
researcher bias

Question 23

What is a strength of structured observation?

Answer 23

replication is possible
data analysis is easier

Question 24

What is a weakness of structured observation?

Answer 24

demand characteristics/ expectancy effects

Question 25

What are the 3 features that make a good observational study?

Answer 25

1- high inter rater reliability
2- low ppt reactivity (ppts modifying behaviour)
3- low observer bias

Question 26

How do you reduce ppt reactivity?

Answer 26

use unobtrusive measurements like one way mirrors, covert design