Observational techniques

Question 1

Participant observation

Answer 1

• observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed
  
  • more likely to be overt so participants tend to more socially desirable

Question 2

Non participant observation

Answer 2

• Th observer is separate from the people being observed
• more covert so cannot give consent and may feel as if privacy has been invaded

Question 3

Covert observation

Answer 3

• when a participant is unaware of being observed.
• the observer may not watch through a one way mirror

Question 4

Operationalisation

Answer 4

• ensuring variables are in a form that can be easily tested

Question 5

Unstructured observations

Answer 5

• researcher has no method when it comes to observing

Question 6

Structured observations

Answer 6

• has a system to organise observations
• can use behavioural categories and sampling techniques

Question 7

Event sampling

Answer 7

• an observational technique in which a count is kept of the number of times a certain behaviour occurs
• observer can miss events if too many things are happening at once

Question 8

Time sampling

Answer 8

• An observational technique in which an observer record behaviour in a given time frame
• may not always represent what is happening as some behaviours do not happen in given time frames

Question 9

Observer bias

Answer 9

• observers expectations affects what they see or hear

Question 10

Ecological validity

Answer 10

• how accurately the design reflects the relevant characteristics
  e.g its context in the world or environment