Observational techniques Flashcards
Strength of covert observation
Investigator effects are less likely so less chance of demand characteristics so behaviour will seem more natural and representative
Covert observations
Consists of observing people without their knowledge e.g one way mirror
Weakness of covert observation
Ethical issues - participants not aware they are taking part in observation so can’t give consent
Overt observation
Participants know they are being observed e.g filming publicly
Strength of overt method
More ethical than covert, so representation of psychological research as ethical is protected
Weakness of overt observations
Investigator effects so they change their behaviour through demand characteristics , not authentic natural behaviour being observed
Investigator effect
bias occurs when the investigator influences the behaviour of the participants in a way that’s not intended e.g facial expressions
Participant observation
Person who is conducting the observation also takes part in the activity
Strength of participant observation
Researcher can obtain in depth data since they’re in close proximity
Unlikely to overlook behaviour so allows comprehensive understanding
Weakness of participant observation
Investigator effect, changing behaviour through demand characteristics
Natural behaviour not observed so reduced internal validity
Internal validity
Extent to which a piece of evidence supports a claim, within the context of a particular study
Non participant observation
Person conducting experiment doesn’t take part
Strength of non participant observation
Investigator effects less likely to occur as investigator observes from a distance, representative of natural and unaltered human conduct
Naturalistic observation
Carried out in an unaltered setting, observer does not interfere in any way e.g shopping centre
Strength of naturalistic observation
Higher level of ecological validity, reflecting spontaneous behaviour that may occur
Ecological validity
Measure of how test performance predicts real world behaviour
Weakness of naturalistic observations
Issues with reliability, the test- retest method cannot be used of checking reliability
Reliability
Consistency of results
Validity
Accuracy of results
Controlled observation
Conducted under strict conditions e.g in an observation room or lab where extraneous variables can be controlled e.g time, noise, temp
Strength of controlled observation
Can be replicated to check reliability so standardised procedures can be repeated by diff researches
Standardised procedures
Making a test uniform, setting it to specific standard in which everyone is treated exactly the same and have the same experience
Weakness of controlled observation
Lower level of external validity, due to artificial environment
Observation feels unnatural so may alter participants response so no longer representative of real life
External validity
Findings that can be generalised, they represent the outcomes that occur in a wider population than just the sample
Structured observation
researcher uses coded schedules according to previously agreed formula and organise data into behavioural categories . Predetermined questions, tools, items
Behavioural categories
Breaking down the target behaviour (aggression) into components that can be observed and measured (hitting or kicking)
Strength of structured observation
Researcher can compare behaviour between participants across groups
Use of behaviour categories makes coding of data more systematic (according to a fixed plan)
Weakness of structured observation
Not very high internal validity because researcher may miss some crucial behaviours
Findings may lack the finer details
Unstructured observation
Involves every instance of the observed behaviour being recorded and described in as much detail as possible
Strength of unstructured observation
Richness of data obtained
Researchers obtain comprehensive view of human behaviour
High internal validity
Weakness of unstructured observation
Prone to observer bias due to lack of objective behaviour categories
Problem with inter observer reliability as lack of constancy in observations
Inter- observer reliability
Degree of agreement between people observing the same thing
What makes something an experiment
Manipulating the IV and look at effect on DV
Demand characteristics
participants changing their behaviours or responses based on what they think the research is about
Social desirability
to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favourably by others
Control
The extent to which the variable is held constant by the researcher
Confounding variable
an unmeasured third variable that influences both the supposed cause and the supposed effect.
Mundane realism
The extent to which a study mirrors real life
time sampling
where an observer records behaviour at prescribed intervals
strength of time sampling
allows for a better use of time since fewer observations are made
limitation of time sampling
not every behaviour of relevance to the inestigation will be counted if it occurs inbetween allocated time frames
event sampling
observer records the number of times the target behaviour occurs
strength of event sampling
every behaviour of interest in theory will be counted from beginning through to end of observation
limitation of event sampling
theres a possibility that some behaviours could be missed if there is too much happening at same time, some not coded
