Observations Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

naturalistic observation

A

naturalistic observations that take place in the ppts’ natural environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

overt

A

ppts know about it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

covert

A

they are unaware

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

non-participant

A

the researcher is not part of what he or she is observing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

participant

A

the researcher has a part to play as well as the observation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

strengths of ppt observations

A
  • more is known about the situation, background, language, etc –> better access to data –> more detailed & more valid
  • more natural behaviour, because ppts do not have someone in the situation they do not know –> increasing validity
  • less interpretation is needed because the observer understands more.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

weakness of participant observations

A
  • hard to record data and participate at the same time
  • may not “see” because observer is involved and subjective
  • if it is an overt observation, ppts may be more affected if watched by someone they know than if by someone else (ethical issues, validity issues)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

strengths of non-ppts observations

A
  • can record data more accurately and consistently because they are focused on that task alone
  • more likely to be objective as observers not involved personally in the situation and with the ppt (more valid data)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

weakness of non- participant observations

A
  • may have to interpret data because observer is an outsider , making the data less valid
  • may affect what happens because observer s a stranger, makes data less valid
  • hard to get access to some situations without belonging.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

strengths of overt observations

A
  • more ethical as guideliness can be adhered to

- can record data without hiding, making it more efficient and the observer is less likely to miss information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

weakness of overt observations

A
  • behaviour is likely to be unatural, because ppts know about the observations (low validity)
  • some may not want to take part so may drop out, making the situation unatural (though this shows that covert observations are not really ethical)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

strengths of covert observation

A
  • observer is less likely to affect the situation because ppts doesn’t know why they are there (more valid data)
  • situation will involve all the ppts, as they won’t refuse something they don’t know about
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

weakness of covert observation

A
  • hard to know where to position the observer if ppts are to be unaware of the activity
  • may be unethical if not in a public place
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

strengths of observations in general

A
  • can gather qualitative data if a tape or video recorder is used . There is a richness in detail that can be recorded.
  • can gather quantitative data using tallying and this is easier to analyse and compare
  • can be used more than one observer to obtain inter-observer reliability, making it a more scientific measure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

weakness of observations in general

A
  • hard not to interfere with normal behaviour if an observer is present, even if he or she is pretending to be someone else- problems with validity may arise
  • there can be ethical problems if not in a public place
  • hard to get access to certain situations
  • observing means interpreting and selecting, because not everything can be noted
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly