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Psychology - Research Methods > Observations > Flashcards

Observations Flashcards

1
Q

Observation

A

A non experimental technique, the researcher watches a records natural behaviour of ppts without manipulation of the IV

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2
Q

Controlled observation

A

Aspects of environment are controlled, in an attempt to give ppts the same experience often conducted in a lab

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3
Q

Strength of controlled observations

A
  • reduces extraneous variables, by controlling the environment and giving the same experience
  • results are reliable as using same standardised procedure
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4
Q

Weaknesses of controlled observation

A
  • artificial, may result in unnatural behaviour, leads to demand characteristics
  • lacks ecological validity
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5
Q

Define naturalistic observations

A

Takes pace in the real world i places ppts are likely to spend their time eg school

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6
Q

Strengths of naturalist observations

A
  • high realism as ppt are more likely to more natural behaviour
  • high ecological validity, able to generalise to other situations
  • reduces demand characteristics
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7
Q

Weaknesses of naturalistic observations

A
  • uncontrolled extraneous variables may be responsible for behaviour, lowering internal validity
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8
Q

Define overt observations

A

Ppts can see the researcher an are aware their behaviour is being observed

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9
Q

Strengths of overt observations

A
  • ethical, informed consent as ppts agree to take part in research
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10
Q

Weakness of overt characteristics

A
  • demand characteristics,tr show behaviour researcher wants to see
  • social desirability bias, acting to look good for researcher
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11
Q

Covert observation

A

Ppts not aware they are being observed

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12
Q

Strengths of covert observations

A
  • Reduces demand characteristics and social desirability bias
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13
Q

Weakness of covert observations

A

Unethical - ppts can’t give informed consent

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14
Q

Participants observations

A

Researcher joins a group being observed and takes part

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15
Q

Strengths of ppts observation

A
  • build rappor, more trust leads to ppts behaving more naturally
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16
Q

Weakness of ppts observations

A
  • researcher can loose objectivity, intro actions of data can be biased and they only see from ppts perspective, going native
17
Q

Non participant observations

A

Reasercher is separate from ppts, is not part of the group

18
Q

Strengths of non ppts observations

A
  • researcher more likely to remain objective in interpretation of the ppts behaviour
19
Q

Weaknesses of non ppt observations

A

Due to lack of trust and rappor, ppts may not behave naturally reduces vaildity

20
Q

Define observation design

A

Choice of behaviours and how they are measured

21
Q

Operationalised behavioural categories

A

Behaviours must be clearly identifiable and measurable

22
Q

How do researchers conduct structured observatiosn

A

Time sampling and event sampling

23
Q

Time sampling

A

Researcher records all relevant behaviour at set points

24
Q

Strengths of time sampling

A

More flexibility to be able to record unexpected types of behaviour

25
Q

Weakness of time sampling

A

Can miss behaviour outside of recording periods

26
Q

Event sampling

A

Researcher records/tallies every time behaviour occurs from lit of behavioural categories

27
Q

Strengths of event sampling

A
  • as long as behaviour is on the list of behavioural categories it will be recored at any point of observation
28
Q

Weakness of event sampling

A

May miss relevant behaviour that is not on list of behavioural categories

29
Q

How does a researcher assess reliability of observation

A
  • inter observer reliability
30
Q

Define inter observe reliability

A

2 or more trained observes conduct the same observation

31
Q

Describe inter observe reliability

A
  1. Agee and use the same checklist/tally of operationalised categories
  2. Observation is conducted separately by each observer
  3. Compare the 2 data set produced
  4. A correlation yeast can assess the strength of the relationship between two data set
  5. A correlation of 0.8 and stronger is accepted
32
Q

Unstructured observation

A

Observer records all behaviour they observe

33
Q

Structure interview

A

Particular behaviour are looked for and record when they occur

Psychology - Research Methods (24 decks)

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