Observational Research Flashcards
Observations as a method
Researcher will observe behaviour looking for patterns
CANNOT draw cause and effect relationships
Four main features of observation
The settings: naturalistic v controlled
The data: structured v unstructured
The participants : overt v covert
The observers : participant v none participant
Naturalistic observation
The observation of behaviour in it natural setting.
Often done when unethical to carry out lab experiment.
STRENGTH of naturalistic observation
High ecological validity
Reduction of the Hawthorne effect
LIMITATIONS of naturalistic observation
Little control over EVs
Replication is not often possible
Controlled observation
Observation taking place in a controlled setting.
Usually behind a one-way mirror so they cannot be seen
STRENGTHS of controlled observation
Less risk of EVs effecting behaviour
LIMITATIONS of controlled observation
The setting is artificial therefore may lack ecological validity
Structured observation
The observer creates a behaviour checklist in order to code the behaviour being observed.
CAN use time or event sampling.
STRENGTHS of structured observation
The behavioural checklists allows objective quantifiable data collection
Allows for multiple observers (increasing reliability)
LIMITATIONS of structured observation
Pre-existing behavioural categories can be restrictive and does not always explain why the behaviour is happening
Unstructured observation
The observer note down all the behaviours they can see in a qualitative form over a period of time.
NO behavioural checklist is used
STRENGTHS of unstructured observation
Generate rich qualitative data - can help explain why the behaviour has occurred
Researchers are not limited by prior theoretical expectations
LIMITATIONS of unstructured observation
Researcher can be drawn to eye catching behaviours,may not be representative of all behaviours occurring
Less comparable across researchers
Overt observation
Participants are aware that their behaviour is being studied, the observer is OBVIOUS
STRENGTHS of overt observation
It will better fulfil ethical guidelines (compared to covert)
LIMITATIONS of overt observation
Participants know they are being observed therefore Hawthorne effect may occur
Dangerous for the researcher if their role is uncovered
Covert observation
Participants are unaware that their behaviour is being studied - the observed is COVERED
STRENGTHS of covert observation
P’s are unaware they are being observed providing higher validity
LIMITATIONS of covert observation
May break ethical guidelines
Possibly cause P’s physiological harm
Participant observation
The observer becomes involved in the participants group and may not be known to other p’s
STRENGTHS of participant observation
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)
LIMITATIONS of participant observation
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
Non participant observation
The observer is separate from the participant group that is being observed
STRENGTHS of non-participant group
Researchers observations are likely to be more objective as they are not influenced by the group
LIMITATIONS of non-participant observation
It’s is harder to produce qualitative data to understand the reasons for the behaviour
EXAMPLE - Keddie
NON-PARTICIPANT observations of schools to assess teacher attitudes to students
EXAMPLE - Winlow
COVERT observation on night-time economy and connections to organised crime
EXAMPLE - Venkatesh
OVERT participant observation of drug-dealing gangs in Chicago
Pilot study
Allows you to practise using the behaviour checklist/observation schedule
Standardised behavioural checklist
Researchers use STANDARDISED BEHAVIOURAL CHECKLISTS to record the frequency of those behaviours
