Observational Techniques Flashcards
Observation [ao1]
A non - experimental technique, the researcher watches and records natural behaviour of participants without manipulating levels of IV
Controlled observation
- Conducted in a lab setting which allows aspects of the environment to be controlled it give participants the same experience
Controlled observation evaluation strengths [A03)
Decrees of extraneous variables - as controlling the environment and giving the same experience reduces the lively mood of extraneous variables becoming responsible for observed behaviour
- more reliable - using one same standardised procedures
Controlled observation evaluation limitation [A03]
- Artificiality of the observation environment may result in unnatural behaviour
Naturalistic observation [AO1]
Takes place in the ‘“real world places the participants are likely to spend their time e.g. schools, work,house
Naturalistic observation evaluation Strengths [AO3]
- High realism - participants are likely to snow more naturalistic behaviour
- external validity, behaviour is more likely to be generalisable to other situations
Naturalistic observation evaluation limitation [A03]
- Uncontrolled extraneous variables [may be responsible for the behaviour observed resulting in lower internal validity ]
Overt observational [AO1]
The participants can see the researcher and are aware of the behaviours being observed as part of an observational study
Overt observation evaluation strengths [AO1]
-There’s a lack of ethical issues as a principal of inform consent means participants agreed to take part in the research as they should know what they are signing up for
Overt observation evaluation limitations [AO1]
-an increase of the month characteristics as the participants are aware that they are being observed and may alter the behaviour that do you think the researcher wants to see
-An increase of social desirability bias acting to look good
Covert observation [AO1]
The participants are not aware they are being observed and they cannot see someone taking notes/recording
covert observation evaluation strength [AO1]
-An increase of naturalistic behaviour which is free from the demand characteristics or social desirability bias
Covert observation evaluation limitation [AO3]
-more unethical because the participants cannot give informed consent
Participant observation [AO1]
The research enjoys the group being observed and takes part in the group activities and conversations
Participant observation evaluation. Strengths [A03]
- An increase of trust - by taking part researcher may build rapport which lead to the participants behaving more naturally
Participant observation limitation [AO3]
- Researcher may lose objectivity- interpretation of behaviour is biased seeing only from only the participants perspective
Non-participation observation (AO1)
The researcher is separate from the participants recording observations without talking part in the groups activities
non participant observation strength (AO3)
The researcher is more likely to remain objective in the interpretation of the participants behaviour
Non-participant observation limitation (A03)
Due to lack of trust with the participants research of Mrs the important insight /participants behave naturally
How to create an observational design AO1/3
Observational design:the choice of behaviours to record and how they are measured
Operationalised behavioural categories: the behaviours need to be clearly identifiable and measurable e.g. aggression=number of pushes, punches and kicks
Time sampling: researcher records all relevant behaviour at set points e.g. every 15 seconds
Evaluation strengths- more flexibility to be able to record unexpected types of behaviour
Limitation- can miss behaviour that has happened outside of the recording periods.
Event sampling: research records every time a behaviour occurs from the list of operationalised behavioural categories
Strengths-as long as the behaviour has been included in the list of behavioural categories it should be reported if it has happened at any stage of the observation
Limitation-miss relevant behaviour that isn’t on the list of behavioural categories
