Observations

Question 1

Observational design: unstructured observation

Answer 1

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).

Question 2

Observational design: Structured observation

Answer 2

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).

Question 3

Observational design: Behavioural categories

Answer 3

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).

Question 4

Observational design: event sampling

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Observational design: time sampling

Answer 5

Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame.

This is less time and effort for the researcher. However, you may miss infrequent behaviours.

Question 6

Strengths of quantitative/structured observation

Answer 6

Easy to interpret/analyse (less time to analyse).

Less affected by observer bias (behavioural categories - no interpretation).

Question 7

Limitations of quantitative/structured

Answer 7

May miss something that you didn’t expect to see.

Question 8

Strengths of qualitative/unstructured

Answer 8

Much more detailed.

Question 9

Limitations of qualitative/unstructured

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Types of observation: naturalistic

Answer 10

It takes place in the setting or context the target behaviour would usually occur.

Question 11

Types of observation: controlled

Answer 11

There is some control over variables to observe effects and also control of extraneous variables.

Question 12

Types of observation: Participant

Answer 12

The observer takes part in the behaviour observed.

Question 13

Types of observation: non-participant

Answer 13

The observer doesn’t take part in the behaviour observed.

Question 14

Types of observation: covert

Answer 14

The participants do not know they are being observed.

Question 15

Types of observation: overt

Answer 15

The participants do know that they are being observed.

Question 16

Strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Limitations of naturalistic observation

Answer 17

Extraneous variables.
No control over extraneous variables.
Extraneous variables could affect the observations results and make the findings invalid.

Question 18

Strengths of controlled observation

Answer 18

Replication.
Can be replicated more easily than an unstructured observation due to control.
Therefore, the data is more reliable.

Question 19

Strengths of covert observation

Answer 19

Participant reactivity.
They don't know they are being watched.
Can't change their behaviour.
No demand characteristics.
Make the results more accurate.

Question 20

Limitations of covert observation

Answer 20

Ethics.
Consent is not gained.
This goes against the participants rights.
It is therefore unethical.

Question 21

Strengths of participant observation

Answer 21

More insight.

Greater understanding of the thoughts and feelings of the participants reasoning behind behaviours.

Question 22

Limitations of participant observation

Answer 22

Could lose objectivity.
Could create bias from the researcher with emotional connections/personal opinions.
Less scientific.