Observations Flashcards
What are the 2 ways that observations can be used to?
They can be used on their own as a method or can be used as a way of gathering data in an experiment
What is a naturalistic observation
They are carried out in a natural setting and focus on peoples naturally occurring behaviours
What is a controlled observation
It’s when research is conducted in a lab which allows the researcher more control over the environment
What is a participant observation
When the researcher joins in with the activities with the group of people that are being studied.
What is non-participant observation
the researcher remains external to those being observed
What is a overt observation
Participants are aware that they are being observed
What is a covert observation
Participant are unaware that they are being observed
What is an unstructured observation
The research writes down everything that they observe and then analyse it later looking for a pattern . This produce qualitative data
What might unstructed observations lead you to do
Generate a hypothesis that could be investigated experimentally or more strutted observations that could be conducted
What is a structured observation
When the observer uses a coding frame and behavioural categories to count the number of times specific behaviour occur. This produces quantitative data
What is a strength of controlled observation
High levels of control, easy to replicate, so high levels of reliability
What is a weakness of controlled observation
Lower ecological validity, can’t generalise the results, so less useful
What is a strength of naturalistic observation
High ecological validity , can generalise results to real life
What is a weakness of naturalistic observation
Lack of control, means participant may behave because of different factors, reduces the validity of
What is a strength of participant observation
Gather more accurate results,less likely to misinterpret, enhancing validity
What is a weakness of participants observation
Potential for observer bias and more difficult to remain objective therefore reducing the validity of
What is a strength of non-participant observation
Researcher remains objective , increasing validity as research doesn’t impact the results
What is a weakness of non-participant observation
Observer might miss vital information so results may lack validity
What is a strength of covert observation
Reduces possibility for demand characteristics, you will get more realistic behaviour, so results more valid
What is a weakness of covert observation
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
What is a strength of overt observation
Removes ethical issues, won’t cause any participants distress, upholds reputation of psychology
What is a weakness of overt observation
Potential for demand characteristics, reducing the validity of
What is a strength of strutured observation
Produces quantitative, easy to record and analyse, good for inter-rater reliability
What is a weakness of structure observations
Behaviours may be missed if they aren’t on the list of behaviour categories , results will lack validity
What is a strength of unstructured observations
More valid as all behaviour are recorded
Qualities data gives good insight
What is a weakness of unstructured observation
Difficult to analyse qualitative data so difficult to identify patterns
Also harder to achieve inter-rather reliability
What are behavioural categories
Operationalised defined units of events. They must be observable actions instead of inferred states.
Smiling (correct)
Happy (wrong)
What is a coding frame
When you use numbers or abbreviations to represent things such as the severity or duration of a behaviour
What do you do to achieve inter-observer reliability?
- Training where observers discuss coding frame and definition of behaviours
- Practice applying the coding frame by observing the behaviour both independently
- Then carry out a correlation on the results a positive correlation of 0.8 or above would indicate inter-observer reliability
How would a pilot study help to achieve inter-observer reliability?
You can identify any misconceptions around behavioural categories/ coding frames that can be agreed on before the real study
What is event sampling
You observe continuously and tick every time you see one of the behaviours you have listed
What is time sampling
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
What is time event sampling
It’s a combination of the two methods e.g. you would watch for 20secs every minute
What is a strength of time sampling
-it gives and indication of the order of events
-ensures that behaviour is observed in a reliable way
What is a weakness of time sampling
-Potential to miss behaviour occurring outside the time observations are taking place
- difficult to ensure that timings are precise alongside observing
What is a strength of event sampling
-allows researchers to note whenever the behaviour of interest occurs
-all behaviours are recorded
What is a weakness of event sampling
- no indication of the order of events
-some behaviours may be miss if lots of things occur simultaneously
What is a strength of time event sampling
Gives an indication of the order events occur
What is a weakness of time event sampling
Potential to miss behaviours as the observation period is not continuous
What are the strengths of the observational method
-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
What is a weakness of the observational method
-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
