Observational techniques

Question 1

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

Takes place in the setting or context where the target behaviour would usually occur. All aspects of the environment are free to vary.

Question 2

What is controlled observation?

Answer 2

Used to control certain aspects of the research situation. There is some control over variables, including manipulating variables to observe effects and also control of confounding/extraneous variables.

Question 3

What is overt observation?

Answer 3

When participants know their behaviour is being observed and have given their informed consent beforehand.

Question 4

What is covert observation?

Answer 4

Participants are unaware they are the focus of study and their behaviour is observed in secret (covertly), say across a room or from a balcony. Such behaviour must be public and happening anyway if the observation is to be ethical.

Question 5

What is participant observation?

Answer 5

The observer becomes part of the group they are studying. E.g. in a study of factory workers and management the researcher could join the workforce to produce a first-hand account.

Question 6

What is non-participant observation?

Answer 6

When the researcher remains separate from those they are studying and records behaviour in a more objective manner. It may often be impractical or even impossible to join particular groups so that non-participation is the only option.

Question 7

What is structured observation?

Answer 7

Used when there is too much going on in a single observation for the researcher to record it all. Therefore it is necessary to simplify the target behaviours that will become the main focus of the investigation using behavioural categories.

Question 8

What is unstructured observation?

Answer 8

Researcher will simply write down everything they see. This tends to produce accounts of behaviour that are rich in detail. This method may be appropriate when observations are in small scale and involve few participants.

Question 9

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 9

Used to produce a structured record. This is very similar to the idea of operationalisation. Target behaviours to be studied should be precisely defined and made observable and measurable. E.g. The target behaviour ‘affection’ may be broken down into the categories kissing, hugging, smiling, holding hands etc.

Question 10

What are sampling methods?

Answer 10

The way in which the researcher obtains the participants who will take part in their research. A sample is always drawn from the researcher’s ‘target population.’

Question 11

What is time sampling?

Answer 11

A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame, say, every 60 seconds.

Question 11

What is event sampling?

Answer 11

A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs.

Question 12

What is continuous sampling?

Answer 12

Sampling qualitatively (recording everything without behavioural catergories) until the time is over.

Question 13

What makes a good behavioural category?

Answer 13

-unambiguous
-measurable
-observable

Question 14

What is a strength of naturalistic observations? (validity)

Answer 14

Tend to have high external validity as findings can often be generalised to everyday life.

Question 15

What is a strength of naturalistic observations? (efficiency)

Answer 15

Easier and more cost efficient as no relocation or artificial lab settings are needed

Question 16

What is a weakness of naturalistic observations? (control)

Answer 16

Lack of control of research situation makes replication of investigation difficult

Question 17

What is a weakness of naturalistic observations? (variables)

Answer 17

May be many uncontrolled confounding/extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge pattern of behaviour.

Question 18

What are two strengths of controlled observations?

Answer 18

• Confounding/ extraneous variables may be less of a factor so replication of the observation becomes easier.
• Can manipulate variables to observe effects so more clear cause and effect.

Question 19

What are two weaknesses of controlled observations?

Answer 19

• May produce findings that cannot be readily applied to everyday life.
• More expensive and time consuming due to artificial environment needed.

Question 20

What is a strength of overt observations?

Answer 20

More ethically acceptable

Question 21

What is a weakness of overt observations?

Answer 21

Participants knowledge of being observed would significantly influence their behaviour.

Question 22

What are two strengths of covert observations?

Answer 22

• Participants do not know they are being watched so there aren’t demand characteristics.
• Participants will act naturally created more ecological validity

Question 23

What is a weakness of covert observations?

Answer 23

The ethics of the studies are dubious due to people not wanting their behaviour noted down (right to privacy)

Question 24

What is a strength of participant observations?

Answer 24

The researcher can experience the situation as the participant do, giving them increased insight into the lives of the participants. This may increase external validity of findings.

Question 25

What is a weakness of participant observations?

Answer 25

The researcher may begin to identify too stronger with participants and loose objectivity (adopting local lifestyle).

Question 26

What is a strength of non-participant observations?

Answer 26

Allows researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from participants so less danger of adopting local lifestyle.

Question 27

What is a weakness of non-participant observations?

Answer 27

May lose valuable insight to be gained in a participant observation as they are too far removed.

Question 28

What are two strengths of structured observations?

Answer 28

• Involves the use of behaviour categories which make recording of data easier and more systematic
• Data produced is likely numerical making it more straightforward to analyse and compare behaviour observed between participants

Question 29

What are two weaknesses of structured observations?

Answer 29

• Little depth or detail to data collected
• More effort and testing needed to establish behavioural categories so less efficient

Question 30

What’s a strength of unstructured observations?

Answer 30

More richness and depth of detail in data collected.

Question 31

What are two weaknesses of unstructured observations?

Answer 31

• Data produced is likely qualitative making it more difficult to analyse and record.
• There may be a greater risk of observer bias as researcher may only record behaviours that catch their eye which may not be the most important or useful.