Observations Flashcards
What are the features of an observation?
- Can be conducted in a controlled environment (lab) or a naturalistic environment (playground)
- Can be structured or unstructured
What are the 8 types of observations?
- Naturalistic
- Controlled
- Structured
- Unstructured
- Participant
- Non participant
- Covert
- Overt
What is a naturalistic observation?
- Takes place in the participants natural environment
- Participants aren’t aware they’re being observed, meaning they will behave more naturally which makes the research more ecologically valid
What is a controlled observation?
- Usually takes place in some form of controlled environment which allows control over variables
- Doesn’t necessarily have to be a lab, it can be any environment which the experimenter has control over
What is a structured observation?
- Data is gathered using a pre written collection grid or coding sheet to record the frequency the behaviours have occurred
- Produces qualitative data
What is an unstructured observation?
- Researcher uses direct observation to record behaviours as they occur and have no pre determined plan of what will be observed
- Usually in the form of a transcript
What is a strength of controlled observations?
High levels of control over extraneous variables, meaning the observation is easy to replicate and test for reliability
What is a weakness of controlled observations?
Participants may be affected by the fact they know they’re being observed, meaning they act in the way they think the experimenter wants them to (demand characteristics)
What are the strengths of naturalistic observations?
- High levels of ecological validity as the observation takes place in the participants natural environment
- Participants are often unaware that they are being observed, so they behave more naturally, meaning it minimalists demand characteristics
What are the weaknesses of naturalistic observations?
- No control over extraneous variables because the observation takes place in a natural environment with no manipulation
- If participants are unaware they are being observed it raises ethical issues
What is a non participant observation?
When the psychologist doesn’t participate at all with the group and just observes
What is a participant observation?
When the psychologist feels the need to join in the behaviour of a group to feel what it’s like to be in their situation
What is a strength of participant observations?
High in ecological validity, as it’s generally covert and participants don’t know they’re being observed which minimises demand characteristics
What are the weaknesses of participant observations?
- May make observations more subjective as they may have to rely on memory
- Participation of the researcher may alter the behaviour being observed
What are the strengths of non participant observations?
- If a researcher is not involved, this reduces the chance they will affect the behaviour
- Researchers can use a behaviour checklist and record behaviours in real time and not rely on memory
What are the weaknesses of non participant observations?
- There are certain categories of behaviour that will be unobservable
- May be hard to observe all participants equally well due to distance
What is an overt observation?
Where the participants know they are being studied and that an observation is taking place
What is a covert observation?
The researcher doesn’t tell the group they are being studied
What is a strength of covert observations?
Because participants don’t know they’re being observed it doesn’t alter their behaviour
What is a weakness of covert observations?
Ethical issues, as participants don’t know they’re being observed, so haven’t given their consent to be studied
What is a strength of an overt observation?
Positive in ethical issues because participants know they’re being observed
What is a weakness of overt observations?
Because participants know they’re being observed it may alter their behaviour
What are the 2 types of sampling?
- Event based sampling
- Time based sampling
What is event based sampling?
When an observer decides in advance the behaviours they’re interested in observing, develops a coding system and then records every time that particular behaviour or event occurs
What is a weakness of event based sampling?
It can be tiring for the observer because they’re recording behaviour for the whole observation period
What is time based sampling?
When the observer records behaviour at regular time intervals
What is a weakness of time based sampling?
The observer may miss behaviours that occur during their non observation time
