Observational Techniques

Question 1

What are observations?

Answer 1

An observation is when a researcher watches/listens to parts engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied

Question 2

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 2

When the researcher does not get directly involved with the interactions of the participants + doesn’t take over in their activities

E.g. observing parts’ in the gym but not acc taking part

Question 3

What is an ad of non-participant observations?

Answer 3

• able to focus and concentrate on the results of the observation rather than getting distracted by partaking in the task/activity

Question 4

What is a disad of non participant observations?

Answer 4

• parts might start to display demand characteristics

- lack of informed consent

Question 5

What is a participant observation?

Answer 5

When the researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the participants + will engage in the activities they are doing

E.g. observing parts in gym + acc taking part in the exercises using gym equipment

Question 6

What is an ad of participant observation?

Answer 6

• would be able to use their personal point of view when interpreting results

Question 7

What is a disad of participant observations?

Answer 7

• observations might be biased

- lose objectivity

Question 8

What is a covert observation?

Answer 8

The psychologist goes undercover + doesn’t reveal their true identity = may even give them self a new identity
- group doesn’t know that they are being observed

Question 9

What is an ad of covert observations?

Answer 9

• prevent demand characteristics

- high ecological validity

Question 10

What is a disad of covert observations?

Answer 10

• lack of informed consent

Question 11

What is an overt observation?

Answer 11

• psychologist reveals their true identity + may also state that they are observing the group
• observer effect may occur = parts may change behaviour when they know they are being observed = leads to invalid results

Question 12

What is an ad of overt observations?

Answer 12

• more ethical = parts know they are being observed + can give informed consent

Question 13

What is a disad of overt observations?

Answer 13

• display demand characteristics

Question 14

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 14

• researcher observes participants in their own natural environment + there is no deliberate manipulation of IV

Question 15

What are the ads of naturalistic observations?

Answer 15

• parts are usually unaware that they are being observed (covert) so reduced chance of observer effect + demand characterises = parts act naturally = valid results
• studies have high mundane realism as behaviour shown is likely to reflect every day behaviour
• high in ecological validity = results can be generalised to other settings + contexts
• naturalistic observations are useful when the deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical or impractical

Question 16

What are the disads of naturalistic observations?

Answer 16

• impossible to have any control over extraneous variables = could make results invalid
• problematic to try to determine cause of the behaviour, especially as there is a lack of control = cause and effect cannot be truly determined by naturalistic observations, more controlled observation needed
• risk of observer bias due to lack of control = observer may be subjective + biased when trying to interpret = could lead to unreliable results

Question 17

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 17

• researcher observes participants in a controlled environment + allows for manipulation of IV

Question 18

What are the ads of a controlled observation?

Answer 18

• cause and effect can be determined as observations is highly controlled = psychologists can identify whether IV caused a change in the DV or not
• extraneous variables can be controlled = results will be more valid + more certain IV has an effect on the DV
• likely to yield qualitative data that is rich + detailed = increases the validity of the study as observation is likely to be accurately measure key variables identified in aim

Question 19

What are the disads of a controlled observation?

Answer 19

• low levels of mundane realism + ecological validity = high control = redistrictive and results may not be accurate reflection of everyday life + can’t be generalised to other settings/contexts
• observer effect can occur as parts usually know they are being observed (overt) + parts may show social desirability bias + behave unnaturally = data collected may be invalid
• risk of observer bias = researcher’s own views + opinion can influence the recording data which becomes inaccurate

Question 20

What’s a way to to prevent observier bias?

Answer 20

Inter-rater reliability = two observers who each record their data separately + then correlate their observations and data together

Question 21

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 21

Specific types of behaviour that are being looked for in an observation

Question 22

What are some sampling procedures?

Answer 22

• event sampling

- time-interval sampling

Question 23

What is event sampling?

Answer 23

• observer decides in advance what types of behaviour they are interested in+ records all occurrences
• all other types of behaviour are ignored

Question 24

What is time-interval sampling?

Answer 24

• observer decides in advance that observation will take place only during specified time periods e.g. 10 mins every hour + records the occurrences of specified behaviour during that period only

Question 25

What is a pilot study?

Answer 25

• preliminary small scale investigation of the procedures to be used in the main study
• involves selecting a few people + trialing out the study in them
• possible to save money + time by identifying flaws in procedures or any problems/issues that need to be rectified
• useful to establish behavioural characteristics + check if they’re suitable
• also iron out any practical problems e.g. where observer should stand or where camera should be placed

Question 26

What are the types of observations?

Answer 26

• non-participant observations
• participant observations
• covert observations
• overt observations
• naturalistic observations
• controlled observations