Observational techniques Flashcards
What is an observation in psychological research?
Researchers watching and recording behaviour as it happens.
What is a controlled observation?
An observation conducted in a controlled environment where variables are managed.
What are the advantages of controlled observations?
They reduce the effects of extraneous variables and provide reliable results offering high internal validity.
What is a major weakness of controlled observations?
The artificial environment may not reflect participants’ natural behaviour.
What is a naturalistic observation?
An observation conducted in the participants’ normal environment.
What is an advantage of naturalistic observations?
They have high realism and findings often have ecological validity.
What is a weakness of naturalistic observations?
The lack of control over variables may introduce unknown extraneous factors.
What is an overt observation?
An observation where participants are aware they are being observed.
What is an ethical advantage of overt observations?
Participants can give informed consent.
What is a weakness of overt observations?
Participants may change their behaviour due to demand characteristics.
What is a covert observation?
An observation where participants are unaware they are being observed.
What is a strength of covert observations?
They can capture natural behaviour increasing validity.
What is a weakness of covert observations?
They may be unethical due to the lack of informed consent.
What is a participant observation?
An observation where the researcher becomes involved in the activities of the participants.
What is an advantage of participant observations?
The researcher gains first-hand knowledge and may build rapport with participants.
What is a weakness of participant observations?
The researcher may lose objectivity and become biased.
What is a non-participant observation?
An observation where the researcher remains detached from the group being studied.
What is an advantage of non-participant observations?
They increase objectivity.
What is a weakness of non-participant observations?
The researcher may miss important insights due to being too removed.
What are behavioural categories in observational design?
Clearly defined behaviours that researchers aim to observe and count.
Why should behavioural categories be operationalised?
To provide objective and measurable definitions for behaviours.
What is event sampling in observational techniques?
Recording all occurrences of a specific behaviour during an observation period.
What is a strength of event sampling?
It captures all instances of target behaviours.
What is a weakness of event sampling?
It may require many observers and may miss behaviours not on the list.
What is time sampling in observational techniques?
Recording behaviours at specific time intervals.
What is a strength of time sampling?
It allows for structured data collection over time.
What is a weakness of time sampling?
Important behaviours may be missed outside the recording periods.
What is inter-rater reliability?
The extent to which different researchers produce consistent results from the same observation.
How can inter-rater reliability be tested?
By comparing data sets from two researchers and calculating a correlation.
What statistical test is used to assess inter-rater reliability?
Spearman’s rho.
What correlation value indicates acceptable reliability in observations?
A correlation of 0.8 or higher.
