Observations

Question 1

What is tallying?

Answer 1

The number of times a researcher counts a specified behaviour

Question 2

What is an observation?

Answer 2

When a researcher watches PPs, looking for certain behaviours

Question 3

What is event sampling?

Answer 3

When the observer decides in advance what behaviours they’re interested in, and then records all occurrences.
All other behaviour is ignored.

Question 4

What is time sampling?

Answer 4

When the observer decides in advance that observation will only occur during specified time periods (e.g., for 10 mins every hour).
All behaviours during this period are recorded

Question 5

What are overt observations?

Answer 5

Observations where the PPs know they are being studied

Question 6

What are covert observations?

Answer 6

Where the researcher conceals their identity from the PPs and act as another member of the group being studied

Question 7

What are structured (controlled) observations?

Answer 7

• Where the researcher controls a number of variables affecting the observation - e.g., time, location, circumstances, and what procedure.

Question 8

Strengths of structured observations?

Answer 8

• Easy to replicate
• Data collected is easy to analyse as its numerical
• Quick to conduct, meaning many can occur within a shorter period of time.

Question 9

Weaknesses of structured observations?

Answer 9

• Lacks validity due to demand characteristics - PPs know they’re being watched.

Question 10

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 10

Where a researcher observes behaviour from PPs in a natural setting.
Researcher records whatever they say in whatever way they can.

Question 11

Strengths of naturalistic observations?

Answer 11

• Greater ecological validity
• Naturalistic observations are often used to generate new theories - gives the researcher the opportunity to study the total situation = new perspectives.

Question 12

Weaknesses of naturalistic observations?

Answer 12

• Often done on a small scale = lacks generalisability
• Extraneous variables may not be able to be controlled
• Researcher needs to be trained to identify significant behaviour

Question 13

What is PP observation?

Answer 13

A variation of natural observations, but here the researcher joins in and becomes part of the group they’re studying, to get a deeper insight into their lives

Question 14

Limitations of PP observation?

Answer 14

• Difficult to get time/privacy for recording

- If the researcher becomes too involved they may lose objectivity and become biased.

Question 15

What is non-PP observation?

Answer 15

Where observers watch individuals or groups without getting involved in the life of the group being studied.
E.g., OFSTED