Observational Techniques Flashcards
What are naturalistic observations?
Observations that take place in the setting they usually occur in.
What are controlled observations?
Take place in lab environments where CVs and EVs can be controlled.
How might observers avoid creating demand characteristics when using controlled observations?
They might use a 2 way mirror. This stops PPTs from feeling like they are being watched.
What type of validity are naturalistic observations high in and why?
What does mean we can do to findings?
External validity. This means findings can be generalised to everyday life because the observation takes place in every day environments.
Why are there generalisability issues with controlled observations?
The environment observations take place in is unnatural, so PPT behaviours may also be unnatural.
What are covert observations?
Observations that take place secretly, the PPT does not know they are being watched.
How can covert observations be done to avoid ethical issues?
Researchers must observe people in public places where the behaviour is already occurring.
What are overt observations?
Observations where the PPT knows they are being watched.
Why do covert observations have high internal validity?
PPTs do not know they are being watched and therefore cannot display demand characteristics.
Why are there ethical issues with covert observations?
PPTs may not want to be observed even in public places where the behaviour is already occurring.
Why might overt observations have risk of demand characteristics?
PPTs are aware they are being watched so they may behave differently.
What are PPT observations?
The observer takes part in the activity they are observing so they can produce a first hand account.
What are non PPT observations?
The observer remains separate from those they are studying to record behaviour in a more objective manner.
Why might PPT observations increase external validity?
They give the researcher a greater insight to what the PPTs are experiencing.
Why can PPT observations lead to a loss of objectivity?
The lines between researcher and PPT could become blurred if they identify too strongly with those they are studying.
How do non PPT observations prevent loss of objectivity?
They allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from the PPTs.
Why might non PPT observations not produce as greater detail as PPT observations?
They could be too far removed from the people they are observing.
What are unstructured observations?
Observations where the researcher records everything they see, producing an account rich in detail.
What are structured observations?
Where researchers simplify common behaviours in the observation into categories. Only the behaviours listed in the categories are recorded.
What are behavioural categories?
Lists of behaviours that observers are looking for in the observation.
Why must behavioural categories be specific?
To ensure an accurate number of each behaviour can be established. This means categories cannot overlap.
What is continuous recording?
Which observational type is this a part of?
Continuously recording any behaviours throughout the whole observation.
What is time sampling?
Recording behaviours at specific time intervals eg; every 30 seconds.
What is event sampling?
Recording every time a specific event happens.
What are the benefits of structured observations producing quantitative data?
Analysis of data is straightforward.
What are the benefits of unstructured observations producing qualitative data?
Data is rich.
Explain the risk of observer bias associated with unstructured observations.
Researchers may only record information that they see as interesting and not important.
What are the issues with event sampling?
Events could be too complex to clearly see and could be missed by observers
Why might time sampling be more convenient for researchers?
It reduces the number of observations that need to be made overall, saving time.
What is inter observer reliability?
Researchers can agree that the behavioural categories make sense which ensures findings from the observations are consistent.
State 4 ways that inter observer reliability can be established.
Observaers familiarise themselves with behavioural categories.
Observers watch the behaviours at the same time
Observers compare what they have seen and discuss differences in interpretations
Observers correlate findings to produce an overall figure
