Observational Techniques/design Flashcards
what does the observational method involve in psychological research?
- have clear aim and hypothesis to guide observations
- focus on specific behaviours/events
- clear operational definitions of behaviour/events
- follow objective system for observing and recording behaviours/events
why is it useful to use the observational method?
- can be used as a technique for data collection within experiments as well as purely observational research
- can be used to observe naturally occurring behaviour in natural settings
- can be used in lab setting so certain variables can be controlled
what are the different types of observation?
- naturalistic vs controlled
- participant vs non-participant
- disclosed (overt) vs non-disclosed (covert)
- structured vs unstructured
what is an unstructured observation?
- observation takes place without the pre defined plan and characteristics
- researcher notes behaviour/events they consider important
what is structures observation?
aim to be objective and rigorous
involves:
- behavioural categories (break behaviour down into somponents)
- sampling procedures (event sampling & time sampling)
what is a naturalistic observation?
observing usual daily environment
what is a controlled observation?
certain variables controlled by researcher
what is a participant observation?
observer participates in activity
what is a non-participant observation?
observer is separate from what they are observing
what is an overt/disclosed observation?
researcher can be seen by participants
what is a covert/undisclosed observation?
participants unaware of being observed
what is inter-observer reliability?
the extent to which 2 or more observers agree on an observed behaviour
what is observer bias?
the observers expectations influence what they see
