Observational techniques Flashcards
What is a naturalistic observation?
They involve watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.
What is a controlled observation?
They involve watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment.
What is a covert observation?
They involve participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.
What is an overt observation?
They involve participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent.
What is a participant observation?
They involve the researcher becoming a member of the group of the person who’s behaviour they are recording
What is a non-participant observation?
They involve the researcher remaining outside the group of the person who’s behaviour they are recording.
What do observations allow the researcher to do?
They allow the researcher to study observable behaviour within a natural or controlled setting.
T / F:
- Observations are a non-experimental method.
True.
T / F:
- Observational studies allow researchers to study behaviours within a natural or controlled setting.
True.
Which type of observation was Mary Ainsworth’s experiment the Strange Situation?
A controlled observation.
Which type of observation take place in a setting or context where the target behaviour would usually occur?
Naturalistic observations.
In which type of experiment does the researcher remain seperate from those they are studying?
Non-participant observations.
How can you make sure that a covert observation is ethical?
The behaviours observed must be public and happening already.
Which type of observation is more likely to produce objective data, participant or non-participant observations?
Non-participant observations because the researcher is distanced from the subject.
T / F:
- Naturalistic observations tend to be low in external validity meaning findings cannot be generalised easily.
False - they tend to have high external validity and can be generalised.
Which type of observation is this; the observer watchers from across a room or from a balcony?
Covert observation.
T / F:
- Naturalistic observations take place in a setting where the target behaviour would not normally occur.
False - They would take place where behaviour would normally occur.
T / F:
- Non-participant observations allow the observer to remain more objective but they may lose insight due to being on the periphery.
True.
T / F:
- Behaviour may occasionally be recorded without first obtaining the consent of the participants.
True - this is a covert observation.
T / F:
- Informed consent is granted for an overt observation.
True.
During Ainsworth’s controlled observations, how did she make sure that the baby behaved naturally?
By using a two-way mirror so that she couldn’t be seen by the baby.
Which type of observation involves some control over the extraneous variables?
Controlled observations.
T / F:
- If the researcher joins in with observation this is called an inclusive observation.
False - this is a participant observation.
If you were to study how senior management and employees in a factory interact which types of observation would you use, a naturalistic or controlled observation?
Naturalistic, because it would be illogical to drag a whole workforce into an artificial lab setting rather it would be better to let them interact normally.
