Observational Techniques Flashcards
What are observations?
An observation is when a researcher watches/listens to parts engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied
What is a non-participant observation?
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
What is an ad of non-participant observations?
- able to focus and concentrate on the results of the observation rather than getting distracted by partaking in the task/activity
What is a disad of non participant observations?
- parts might start to display demand characteristics
- lack of informed consent
What is a participant observation?
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
What is an ad of participant observation?
- would be able to use their personal point of view when interpreting results
What is a disad of participant observations?
- observations might be biased
- lose objectivity
What is a covert observation?
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
What is an ad of covert observations?
- prevent demand characteristics
- high ecological validity
What is a disad of covert observations?
- lack of informed consent
What is an overt observation?
- 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
What is an ad of overt observations?
- more ethical = parts know they are being observed + can give informed consent
What is a disad of overt observations?
- display demand characteristics
What is a naturalistic observation?
- researcher observes participants in their own natural environment + there is no deliberate manipulation of IV
What are the ads of naturalistic observations?
- 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
What are the disads of naturalistic observations?
- 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
What is a controlled observation?
- researcher observes participants in a controlled environment + allows for manipulation of IV
What are the ads of a controlled observation?
- 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
What are the disads of a controlled observation?
- 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
What’s a way to to prevent observier bias?
Inter-rater reliability = two observers who each record their data separately + then correlate their observations and data together
What are behavioural categories?
Specific types of behaviour that are being looked for in an observation
What are some sampling procedures?
- event sampling
- time-interval sampling
What is event sampling?
- observer decides in advance what types of behaviour they are interested in+ records all occurrences
- all other types of behaviour are ignored
What is time-interval sampling?
- 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
What is a pilot study?
- 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
What are the types of observations?
- non-participant observations
- participant observations
- covert observations
- overt observations
- naturalistic observations
- controlled observations
