Observational Research

Question 1

Observations as a method

Answer 1

Researcher will observe behaviour looking for patterns

CANNOT draw cause and effect relationships

Question 2

Four main features of observation

Answer 2

The settings: naturalistic v controlled
The data: structured v unstructured
The participants : overt v covert
The observers : participant v none participant

Question 3

Naturalistic observation

Answer 3

The observation of behaviour in it natural setting.

Often done when unethical to carry out lab experiment.

Question 4

STRENGTH of naturalistic observation

Answer 4

High ecological validity

Reduction of the Hawthorne effect

Question 5

LIMITATIONS of naturalistic observation

Answer 5

Little control over EVs

Replication is not often possible

Question 6

Controlled observation

Answer 6

Observation taking place in a controlled setting.

Usually behind a one-way mirror so they cannot be seen

Question 7

STRENGTHS of controlled observation

Answer 7

Less risk of EVs effecting behaviour

Question 8

LIMITATIONS of controlled observation

Answer 8

The setting is artificial therefore may lack ecological validity

Question 9

Structured observation

Answer 9

The observer creates a behaviour checklist in order to code the behaviour being observed.
CAN use time or event sampling.

Question 10

STRENGTHS of structured observation

Answer 10

The behavioural checklists allows objective quantifiable data collection
Allows for multiple observers (increasing reliability)

Question 11

LIMITATIONS of structured observation

Answer 11

Pre-existing behavioural categories can be restrictive and does not always explain why the behaviour is happening

Question 12

Unstructured observation

Answer 12

The observer note down all the behaviours they can see in a qualitative form over a period of time.
NO behavioural checklist is used

Question 13

STRENGTHS of unstructured observation

Answer 13

Generate rich qualitative data - can help explain why the behaviour has occurred
Researchers are not limited by prior theoretical expectations

Question 14

LIMITATIONS of unstructured observation

Answer 14

Researcher can be drawn to eye catching behaviours,may not be representative of all behaviours occurring
Less comparable across researchers

Question 15

Overt observation

Answer 15

Participants are aware that their behaviour is being studied, the observer is OBVIOUS

Question 16

STRENGTHS of overt observation

Answer 16

It will better fulfil ethical guidelines (compared to covert)

Question 17

LIMITATIONS of overt observation

Answer 17

Participants know they are being observed therefore Hawthorne effect may occur
Dangerous for the researcher if their role is uncovered

Question 18

Covert observation

Answer 18

Participants are unaware that their behaviour is being studied - the observed is COVERED

Question 19

STRENGTHS of covert observation

Answer 19

P’s are unaware they are being observed providing higher validity

Question 20

LIMITATIONS of covert observation

Answer 20

May break ethical guidelines

Possibly cause P’s physiological harm

Question 21

Participant observation

Answer 21

The observer becomes involved in the participants group and may not be known to other p’s

Question 22

STRENGTHS of participant observation

Answer 22

Being part of the group can allow the researcher to get a deep understanding of the behaviours of the group (increasing the validity)
ACHIEVES VERSTEHEN (empathic understanding of human behaviour)

Question 23

LIMITATIONS of participant observation

Answer 23

The presence of the researcher might influence the behaviour of the group
Researcher may lose objectivity as they are part of the group
Difficult to replicate
Often time consuming

Question 24

Non participant observation

Answer 24

The observer is separate from the participant group that is being observed

Question 25

STRENGTHS of non-participant group

Answer 25

Researchers observations are likely to be more objective as they are not influenced by the group

Question 26

LIMITATIONS of non-participant observation

Answer 26

It’s is harder to produce qualitative data to understand the reasons for the behaviour

Question 27

EXAMPLE - Keddie

Answer 27

NON-PARTICIPANT observations of schools to assess teacher attitudes to students

Question 28

EXAMPLE - Winlow

Answer 28

COVERT observation on night-time economy and connections to organised crime

Question 29

EXAMPLE - Venkatesh

Answer 29

OVERT participant observation of drug-dealing gangs in Chicago

Question 30

Pilot study

Answer 30

Allows you to practise using the behaviour checklist/observation schedule

Question 31

Standardised behavioural checklist

Answer 31

Researchers use STANDARDISED BEHAVIOURAL CHECKLISTS to record the frequency of those behaviours