Observations Flashcards
Observational design: unstructured observation
Researcher writes down everything they see.
Tends to produce accounts of behaviour that are rich in detail.
Appropriate for small-scale investigations that only involve a few participants.
Does not use any categories.
Qualitative (worded description).
Observational design: Structured observation
These allow the researcher to quantify their observations using a pre-determined list of behaviours (behavioural categories) and sampling techniques.
Target behaviours become the main focus.
Quantitive (tally’s per categories).
Observational design: Behavioural categories
Breaking target behaviours up into a set of categories. Target behaviours to be studied should be precisely defined and made observable and measurable.
No interpretation is needed.
No overlap between categories.
No ‘dustbin’ option (other).
Observational design: event sampling
Counting the number of times a particular behaviour occurs in a target individual or group.
This catches more infrequent behaviours. However, it is more time and effort for the researcher.
Observational design: time sampling
Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame.
This is less time and effort for the researcher. However, you may miss infrequent behaviours.
Strengths of quantitative/structured observation
Easy to interpret/analyse (less time to analyse).
Less affected by observer bias (behavioural categories - no interpretation).
Limitations of quantitative/structured
May miss something that you didn’t expect to see.
Strengths of qualitative/unstructured
Much more detailed.
Limitations of qualitative/unstructured
Not as easy to analyse (time-consuming).
More likely to be affected by observer bias as it is in their own words, so it may be subjective.
Types of observation: naturalistic
It takes place in the setting or context the target behaviour would usually occur.
Types of observation: controlled
There is some control over variables to observe effects and also control of extraneous variables.
Types of observation: Participant
The observer takes part in the behaviour observed.
Types of observation: non-participant
The observer doesn’t take part in the behaviour observed.
Types of observation: covert
The participants do not know they are being observed.
Types of observation: overt
The participants do know that they are being observed.
Strengths of naturalistic observation
Validity.
Naturalistic is in the setting that participants would normally be in.
This means high ecological validity.
Therefore, we can generalise findings to the real world.
Limitations of naturalistic observation
Extraneous variables.
No control over extraneous variables.
Extraneous variables could affect the observations results and make the findings invalid.
Strengths of controlled observation
Replication.
Can be replicated more easily than an unstructured observation due to control.
Therefore, the data is more reliable.
Strengths of covert observation
Participant reactivity. They don't know they are being watched. Can't change their behaviour. No demand characteristics. Make the results more accurate.
Limitations of covert observation
Ethics.
Consent is not gained.
This goes against the participants rights.
It is therefore unethical.
Strengths of participant observation
More insight.
Greater understanding of the thoughts and feelings of the participants reasoning behind behaviours.
Limitations of participant observation
Could lose objectivity.
Could create bias from the researcher with emotional connections/personal opinions.
Less scientific.
