Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology Reasearch Methods > Observations > Flashcards

Observations Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What are the 2 ways that observations can be used to?

A

They can be used on their own as a method or can be used as a way of gathering data in an experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a naturalistic observation

A

They are carried out in a natural setting and focus on peoples naturally occurring behaviours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a controlled observation

A

It’s when research is conducted in a lab which allows the researcher more control over the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a participant observation

A

When the researcher joins in with the activities with the group of people that are being studied.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is non-participant observation

A

the researcher remains external to those being observed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a overt observation

A

Participants are aware that they are being observed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a covert observation

A

Participant are unaware that they are being observed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is an unstructured observation

A

The research writes down everything that they observe and then analyse it later looking for a pattern . This produce qualitative data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What might unstructed observations lead you to do

A

Generate a hypothesis that could be investigated experimentally or more strutted observations that could be conducted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a structured observation

A

When the observer uses a coding frame and behavioural categories to count the number of times specific behaviour occur. This produces quantitative data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a strength of controlled observation

A

High levels of control, easy to replicate, so high levels of reliability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a weakness of controlled observation

A

Lower ecological validity, can’t generalise the results, so less useful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a strength of naturalistic observation

A

High ecological validity , can generalise results to real life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is a weakness of naturalistic observation

A

Lack of control, means participant may behave because of different factors, reduces the validity of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a strength of participant observation

A

Gather more accurate results,less likely to misinterpret, enhancing validity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a weakness of participants observation

A

Potential for observer bias and more difficult to remain objective therefore reducing the validity of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a strength of non-participant observation

A

Researcher remains objective , increasing validity as research doesn’t impact the results

18
Q

What is a weakness of non-participant observation

A

Observer might miss vital information so results may lack validity

19
Q

What is a strength of covert observation

A

Reduces possibility for demand characteristics, you will get more realistic behaviour, so results more valid

20
Q

What is a weakness of covert observation

A

May raise ethical issues (unless in public)
Participants might see researcher acting suspiciously by writing notes this may lead to demand characteristics decreasing the validity of

21
Q

What is a strength of overt observation

A

Removes ethical issues, won’t cause any participants distress, upholds reputation of psychology

22
Q

What is a weakness of overt observation

A

Potential for demand characteristics, reducing the validity of

23
Q

What is a strength of strutured observation

A

Produces quantitative, easy to record and analyse, good for inter-rater reliability

24
Q

What is a weakness of structure observations

A

Behaviours may be missed if they aren’t on the list of behaviour categories , results will lack validity

25
Q

What is a strength of unstructured observations

A

More valid as all behaviour are recorded
Qualities data gives good insight

26
Q

What is a weakness of unstructured observation

A

Difficult to analyse qualitative data so difficult to identify patterns
Also harder to achieve inter-rather reliability

27
Q

What are behavioural categories

A

Operationalised defined units of events. They must be observable actions instead of inferred states.

Smiling (correct)
Happy (wrong)

28
Q

What is a coding frame

A

When you use numbers or abbreviations to represent things such as the severity or duration of a behaviour

29
Q

What do you do to achieve inter-observer reliability?

A
  1. Training where observers discuss coding frame and definition of behaviours
  2. Practice applying the coding frame by observing the behaviour both independently
  3. Then carry out a correlation on the results a positive correlation of 0.8 or above would indicate inter-observer reliability
30
Q

How would a pilot study help to achieve inter-observer reliability?

A

You can identify any misconceptions around behavioural categories/ coding frames that can be agreed on before the real study

31
Q

What is event sampling

A

You observe continuously and tick every time you see one of the behaviours you have listed

32
Q

What is time sampling

A

You observe behaviours at specific times during an event. Eg. You look up for one second every 20 seconds and note / tick any behaviours you observe

33
Q

What is time event sampling

A

It’s a combination of the two methods e.g. you would watch for 20secs every minute

34
Q

What is a strength of time sampling

A

-it gives and indication of the order of events
-ensures that behaviour is observed in a reliable way

35
Q

What is a weakness of time sampling

A

-Potential to miss behaviour occurring outside the time observations are taking place
- difficult to ensure that timings are precise alongside observing

36
Q

What is a strength of event sampling

A

-allows researchers to note whenever the behaviour of interest occurs
-all behaviours are recorded

37
Q

What is a weakness of event sampling

A
  • no indication of the order of events
    -some behaviours may be miss if lots of things occur simultaneously
38
Q

What is a strength of time event sampling

A

Gives an indication of the order events occur

39
Q

What is a weakness of time event sampling

A

Potential to miss behaviours as the observation period is not continuous

40
Q

What are the strengths of the observational method

A

-they can be used when other methods would be unethical or impractical
-allows data to be collects for participants that would be unable to contribute to self-reports or experiments e.g. children or animals

41
Q

What is a weakness of the observational method

A

-they can only record overt actions not emotions, attitudes or beliefs and are unaware of the reasons for the actions
-its harder to control extraneous variables in observations than in experiments

Psychology Reasearch Methods (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions