Observations Flashcards
What is an observation
A non experimental teqnique where the researcher watches and records the natural behaviour of the participants without manipulting the IV
How can observations be used
Used in psychological research, method or tequnique and usually part of a field or lab experiment where they take observations
What is participant reactivity
When the researcher joins the group being observed and takes part in their activities.
What is participant reactivity not
Demand characteristics
What is inter-rater reliability
2 or more observers conduct the same experiment and compare results
What is good about inter-rater reliability
Single observers might miss important details or only notice events that confirm their hypothesis
What are naturalistic observations
Observation of behaviour in its naturalistic setting. Researcher makes no attempt to influence the observed behaviour
When is a naturalistic observation often done
When its unethical to conduct a lab expperiment
Limitations to a naturalistic observation
- little control over the EV
-replication is often not possible
Controlled observations
Taking place in a controlled setting usually behind a one way mirror so the researcher cannot be seen
Strengths to controlled observations
Less risk of extraneous variables affecting the behaviour as its a controlled enviroment
Limitations to controlled observations
Qualitative data
Structured observations
When the researcher creates a behavioural checklist before the observation in order to code the behaviour in order of time sampling and event sampling
What is a behavioural checklist
Used to record the frequency of those behaviours (qualitative data)
Criteria for a behavioural checklist
-be observable
-have no need for inferances to be made
-cover all possible components of behaviours
- be mutually exclusive
Pilot study
A small scale study carried out before the actual research. It allows the researcher to practice using behavioural structures
event sampling
Counting each time a particular behaviour is observed
Strengths of event sampling
Useful when the target behaviour or event is infrequent and could be missed
Limitations of event sampling
If the situation is too busy and there is a-lot of target behaviour being observed
Time sampling
Recording behaviour at timed samples
Strengths of time sampling
The observer has time to record what they’ve seen
Limitations of time sampling
Some behaviours will be missed outside the intervals - not represenative
Strengths of structured observations
The behavioural checklist allows objective quantifiable data to be collected which can be statistically analysed
Limitations of structured observations
Pre- existing behavioural characteristics can be restrictive and doesn’t always explain why its happening
Unstructured obsrvations
The observer notes down all the behaviours they see in qualitative form over a period of time
Strengths to an unstructured observation
-Researcher records all relevant behaviour
Researcher not limited by prior theoretical expectations
- generate deep rich qualitative data
Limitations of unstructured observations
- researcher bias
- cannot compare
Overt observations
Participants are aware that their behaviour is being studied, the researcher is obvious
Strengths to overt observations
Ethical
Limitations to overt observations
-Change in p’s behaviour
-potential researcher bias
Covert observations
Participants are unaware their behaviour is being studied - the observer is covered
Strengths to a covert observation
Behaviour is more natural
Negatives to covert observations
Breaks many ethical guidelines - deception could harm p’s
Participant observations
The observer becomes involved with the group and may not be known by other p’s
Strengths to participant observations
Can allow researcher to get insider knowledge and deep understanding of the behaviours of the group
Limitations of participant observations
-Presence of the researcher might influence the behaviour of the group
-researcher may loose objectivity as they’re part of the group
Non-participant observations
The observer is separate from the participant group being observed
Strengths to non-participant observations
-objective
limitations to non-participant observations
-qualitative data is harder to produce as researcher doesn’t understand reasons for their behaviour
