Observations

Question 1

What are the features of an observation?

Answer 1

1. Can be conducted in a controlled environment (lab) or a naturalistic environment (playground)
2. Can be structured or unstructured

Question 2

What are the 8 types of observations?

Answer 2

1. Naturalistic
2. Controlled
3. Structured
4. Unstructured
5. Participant
6. Non participant
7. Covert
8. Overt

Question 3

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What is a structured observation?

Answer 5

• Data is gathered using a pre written collection grid or coding sheet to record the frequency the behaviours have occurred
• Produces qualitative data

Question 6

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

What is a strength of controlled observations?

Answer 7

High levels of control over extraneous variables, meaning the observation is easy to replicate and test for reliability

Question 8

What is a weakness of controlled observations?

Answer 8

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)

Question 9

What are the strengths of naturalistic observations?

Answer 9

1. High levels of ecological validity as the observation takes place in the participants natural environment
2. Participants are often unaware that they are being observed, so they behave more naturally, meaning it minimalists demand characteristics

Question 10

What are the weaknesses of naturalistic observations?

Answer 10

1. No control over extraneous variables because the observation takes place in a natural environment with no manipulation
2. If participants are unaware they are being observed it raises ethical issues

Question 11

What is a non participant observation?

Answer 11

When the psychologist doesn’t participate at all with the group and just observes

Question 12

What is a participant observation?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is a strength of participant observations?

Answer 13

High in ecological validity, as it’s generally covert and participants don’t know they’re being observed which minimises demand characteristics

Question 14

What are the weaknesses of participant observations?

Answer 14

1. May make observations more subjective as they may have to rely on memory
2. Participation of the researcher may alter the behaviour being observed

Question 15

What are the strengths of non participant observations?

Answer 15

1. If a researcher is not involved, this reduces the chance they will affect the behaviour
2. Researchers can use a behaviour checklist and record behaviours in real time and not rely on memory

Question 16

What are the weaknesses of non participant observations?

Answer 16

1. There are certain categories of behaviour that will be unobservable
2. May be hard to observe all participants equally well due to distance

Question 17

What is an overt observation?

Answer 17

Where the participants know they are being studied and that an observation is taking place

Question 18

What is a covert observation?

Answer 18

The researcher doesn’t tell the group they are being studied

Question 19

What is a strength of covert observations?

Answer 19

Because participants don’t know they’re being observed it doesn’t alter their behaviour

Question 20

What is a weakness of covert observations?

Answer 20

Ethical issues, as participants don’t know they’re being observed, so haven’t given their consent to be studied

Question 21

What is a strength of an overt observation?

Answer 21

Positive in ethical issues because participants know they’re being observed

Question 22

What is a weakness of overt observations?

Answer 22

Because participants know they’re being observed it may alter their behaviour

Question 23

What are the 2 types of sampling?

Answer 23

1. Event based sampling
2. Time based sampling

Question 24

What is event based sampling?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What is a weakness of event based sampling?

Answer 25

It can be tiring for the observer because they’re recording behaviour for the whole observation period

Question 26

What is time based sampling?

Answer 26

When the observer records behaviour at regular time intervals

Question 27

What is a weakness of time based sampling?

Answer 27

The observer may miss behaviours that occur during their non observation time