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Research Methods > Observations > Flashcards

Observations Flashcards

1
Q

What is an observation

A

A non experimental teqnique where the researcher watches and records the natural behaviour of the participants without manipulting the IV

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2
Q

How can observations be used

A

Used in psychological research, method or tequnique and usually part of a field or lab experiment where they take observations

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3
Q

What is participant reactivity

A

When the researcher joins the group being observed and takes part in their activities.

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4
Q

What is participant reactivity not

A

Demand characteristics

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5
Q

What is inter-rater reliability

A

2 or more observers conduct the same experiment and compare results

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6
Q

What is good about inter-rater reliability

A

Single observers might miss important details or only notice events that confirm their hypothesis

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7
Q

What are naturalistic observations

A

Observation of behaviour in its naturalistic setting. Researcher makes no attempt to influence the observed behaviour

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8
Q

When is a naturalistic observation often done

A

When its unethical to conduct a lab expperiment

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9
Q

Limitations to a naturalistic observation

A
  • little control over the EV
    -replication is often not possible
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10
Q

Controlled observations

A

Taking place in a controlled setting usually behind a one way mirror so the researcher cannot be seen

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11
Q

Strengths to controlled observations

A

Less risk of extraneous variables affecting the behaviour as its a controlled enviroment

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12
Q

Limitations to controlled observations

A

Qualitative data

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13
Q

Structured observations

A

When the researcher creates a behavioural checklist before the observation in order to code the behaviour in order of time sampling and event sampling

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14
Q

What is a behavioural checklist

A

Used to record the frequency of those behaviours (qualitative data)

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15
Q

Criteria for a behavioural checklist

A

-be observable
-have no need for inferances to be made
-cover all possible components of behaviours
- be mutually exclusive

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16
Q

Pilot study

A

A small scale study carried out before the actual research. It allows the researcher to practice using behavioural structures

17
Q

event sampling

A

Counting each time a particular behaviour is observed

18
Q

Strengths of event sampling

A

Useful when the target behaviour or event is infrequent and could be missed

19
Q

Limitations of event sampling

A

If the situation is too busy and there is a-lot of target behaviour being observed

20
Q

Time sampling

A

Recording behaviour at timed samples

21
Q

Strengths of time sampling

A

The observer has time to record what they’ve seen

22
Q

Limitations of time sampling

A

Some behaviours will be missed outside the intervals - not represenative

23
Q

Strengths of structured observations

A

The behavioural checklist allows objective quantifiable data to be collected which can be statistically analysed

24
Q

Limitations of structured observations

A

Pre- existing behavioural characteristics can be restrictive and doesn’t always explain why its happening

25
Q

Unstructured obsrvations

A

The observer notes down all the behaviours they see in qualitative form over a period of time

26
Q

Strengths to an unstructured observation

A

-Researcher records all relevant behaviour
Researcher not limited by prior theoretical expectations
- generate deep rich qualitative data

27
Q

Limitations of unstructured observations

A
  • researcher bias
  • cannot compare
28
Q

Overt observations

A

Participants are aware that their behaviour is being studied, the researcher is obvious

29
Q

Strengths to overt observations

A

Ethical

30
Q

Limitations to overt observations

A

-Change in p’s behaviour
-potential researcher bias

31
Q

Covert observations

A

Participants are unaware their behaviour is being studied - the observer is covered

32
Q

Strengths to a covert observation

A

Behaviour is more natural

33
Q

Negatives to covert observations

A

Breaks many ethical guidelines - deception could harm p’s

34
Q

Participant observations

A

The observer becomes involved with the group and may not be known by other p’s

35
Q

Strengths to participant observations

A

Can allow researcher to get insider knowledge and deep understanding of the behaviours of the group

36
Q

Limitations of participant observations

A

-Presence of the researcher might influence the behaviour of the group
-researcher may loose objectivity as they’re part of the group

37
Q

Non-participant observations

A

The observer is separate from the participant group being observed

38
Q

Strengths to non-participant observations

A

-objective

39
Q

limitations to non-participant observations

A

-qualitative data is harder to produce as researcher doesn’t understand reasons for their behaviour

Research Methods (10 decks)

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