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Research Methods > Observations > Flashcards

Observations Flashcards

1
Q

What is a covert observation?

A

The participants are unaware that they are being observed

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2
Q

What are the strengths of covert observations?

A

Minimising observer affects or social desirability bias/ demand characteristics - high validity

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3
Q

What are the weaknesses of covert observations?

A

Ethical issues - cannot consent

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4
Q

What is an overt observation?

A

The participants know that they’re being observed

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5
Q

What are the strengths of an overt correlation?

A

Ethical and may forget they’re being studies if done over a long period of time

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6
Q

What are the weaknesses of an overt correlation?

A

Demand characteristics and social desirability effects

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7
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A

Involves controlling the situation that is being observed in some way, without there actually being an independent variable

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8
Q

What are the strengths of a controlled observation?

A

Accurate and consistent, extraneous variables can be controlled, wide range of behaviours and actions

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9
Q

What are the weaknesses of a controlled observation?

A

Environment is artificial and lacks mundane realism

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10
Q

What is a naturalistic observation?

A

Observing participants in their natural environment

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11
Q

What are the strengths of a naturalistic observation?

A

Very useful for obtaining accurate data

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12
Q

What are the weaknesses of a naturalistic observation?

A

Difficult to ensure the validity and consistency, and extraneous variables will be present

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13
Q

What is a structured observation?

A

Where the data collection itself is done in a structured manner - the use of behavioural categories and coding schemes

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14
Q

What are behavioural categories?

A

Observer must decide which specific behaviours should be examined

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15
Q

What are coding frames?

A

Allow for more specific behaviours to be observed with in a behaviour categories

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16
Q

What are the strengths of structured observation?

A

Easier to use coding frames, easy to establish inter-rater reliability

17
Q

What are the weaknesses of structured observation?

A

Behavioural categories are open to interpretation, some behaviours may be missed

18
Q

What is an unstructured observation?

A

No coding frames or behavioural categories are used, all behaviours observed are recorded

19
Q

What are the strengths of unstructured observation?

A

Improves replicability

20
Q

What are the weaknesses of unstructured observation?

A

Much more difficult to record

21
Q

What is participant observation?

A

The researcher is actually involved with the participants that they are observing

22
Q

What are the strengths of participant observation?

A

It is the only way of observing some behaviours, greater detail and understanding

23
Q

What are the weaknesses of participant observation?

A

Presence of the researcher could influence behaviours, it can be difficult for the observer to record information discreetly

24
Q

What is non participant observation?

A

The researcher observes the participants from a distance and is not involved with them

25
Q

What are the strengths of non participant observation?

A

Validity - the researcher cannot have any effect on the behaviours by not being involved personally

26
Q

What are the weaknesses of non participant observation?

A

Can raise ethical issues as observations may need to be done without gaining consent if a large population is being studied

27
Q

What is event sampling?

A

The act of recording is triggered by the occurrence of the specific behaviours itself

28
Q

What is time sampling?

A

The act of recording is triggered by the ending of a set time interval

29
Q

What is researcher / observer bias?

A

If the observer has a particular expectation of what they are likely to see during the observational period

30
Q

What is researcher / observer effect?

A

When the participants change their behaviour and then changing their data

31
Q

What is inter-rater reliability?

A

Ensuring that all observers are recording what they are seeing (consistent with each other)

Research Methods (6 decks)

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