Observations Flashcards
What is a continuous recording ?
A key feature of unstructured observations in which all instances of a target behaviour are recorded.
What must behavioural categories be ?
Clear and unambiguous
observable measurable and self evident ( they shouldn’t require further interpretation)
must not overlap
all possible forms of target behaviour are included in the checklist
there shouldn’t be a seperate categories in which all other different behaviours are put into “ dustbin category “
How do we assess inter observer reliability ?
By using a scatter graph to see the correlation between both observers data
if there is a positive correlation there is higher inter observer reliability +0.8 is a high inter observer reliability
if there is a negative correlation or no correlation there is low inter observer reliability
How can we improve inter observer reliability ?
Pilot study first
proper training before the observation
improve behavioural categories
ensure everyone can see and access the observation material
What is a strength of event sampling ?
When target behaviours happen quite infrequently and could be missed If time sampling was used
What is a weakness of event sampling ?
If the specified behaviour or event is too complex the observer may overlook important details of using event sampling
What is observer bias ?
When an observor can infleuce the results unintentiaonlly.
the observor may only see what they expect to see it want to see. And may only observe what they want to see and expect to see
What is a strength of time sampling ?
It is effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made
What is a weakness of time sampling ?
When behavioir is sampled it might be unrepresentative of the observation as a whole.
What is inter observer reliability ?
To make data recording more objective and unbiased, observations should be carried out by at least 2 researchers.
However, pairs of observers must also be consistent in their judgements and any data they collect should be the same or similar; when this is achieved there is said to be good inter-observer reliability.
What is event sampling ?
Counting the number of times a behavioir from a behavioural category occurs in the whole of the observation
What is continuous recording ?
A key feature of unstructured observations in which all instances of a target behaviour are recorded.
What is a weakness of an unstructured observation ?
Because data tends to be qualitative but t is more difficult to record and analyse
a greater risk of observor bias because the objective behavioural caregories found in structured observations are not used therefore the researcher may only record behaviours that bath their eye and these may not be the most important or useful
What is a strength of an unstructured observation ?
There is a richness and depth of detail in the data collected
What is an unstructured observation ?
the observor writes down everything they see
this is appropriate when the observation is small in scale and involves few participants
it tends to produce rich detailed data
What is a disadvantage of a structured observation ?
The data lacks richness and depth.
as observers are only paying attention to behvuiral w they may miss out on other behaviours
What are strengths of a structured observation ?
Recording data is easier and more systematic because of the use of behavioural categories.
data is more likely to be numerical (quantitative ) so analysing and comparing the behaviour observed between participants is more straightforward.
Reduced risk of observer bias due to the use of objective behavioural categories
What is a structured observation ?
This is if there is too much going on in an obersvation
the target behaviours are simplified into behavioural categories.
What are the weaknesses of non participant observations ?
Won’t gather as much information as you are observing from a distance
What are the strengths of a non participant observation ?
No ethical issues
safer as you stay a fair distance away from participants
What is a non participant observation ?
involve the researcher watching the behaviour and act as a non participant .
the psychologist is not directly involved in what’s being observed and records data from a distance
What are the weaknesses of participant observations ?
Ethical issues
protection from harm : participants may get Upset that they had been lied to eg if you pretend to be their friend
may loose sight of what is being done. Forget that they’re mean to be observing others.
dabgerous especially when dealing with firmness
What are the strengths of a participant observation ?
Gather more information as you may be trusted
Greater in depth data
What is a participant observation ?
When the observer is part of the group they are observing
What are the weaknesses of overt observations ?
Demand characteristics as participants know they’re being observed they may change their behaviour and respond to demand characteristics to either do what they think the observer would want them to do ( please you ) or go agaisnt it (screw you )
less ecological validity as behaviour may be unatural
What are the strengths of overt observations ?
No ethical issues - no deception or lack of informed consent . No break of protection from harm from lying about who observer is
Consent has been given
What are the weaknesses of covert observations ?
Ethical issues as participants are unaware they are being observed there is no informed consent
psychological harm - embarassment when they find out they’ve been observed
deception
dangerous
What are the strengths of a covert observation ?
Reduces demand characteristics as it is a natural environment. So they will behave more naturally
greater validity
What is a overt observation ?
When the psychologist is open about their observation.
they make their presence obvious and people know their behaviour is being recorded.
What is a covert observation ?
Where the psychologist observes an individual or group without them being aware.
What is the limitation of a natural observation ?
No control over extraneous variables
What is the strength of a naturalistic observation ?
Has ecological validity as it is a natural environment
What is a naturalistic observation?
Natural environment
observing spontaneously occurring behaviour in the participants natural environment .
What are the weaknesses of controlled observations ?
Demand characteristics because it’s a lab participants may figuire out the aim of the study
lacks ecological validity as it can’t be generalised to the outside world
What is a strength of controlled observation ?
High levels of control over extraneous variables
reliability as it can be replicated / repeated
What is a control observation ?
Some variables are regulated by the researcher. Reducing the naturalness of the environment and the behaviour .
participants are likely to know they are being studied and the study may be conducted in a lab.
What is time sampling ?
Recording behavioir in a pre established time frame.
A record lasting for a predetermined length of time is made at regular time intervals
What are the weaknesses is controlled observations ?
Demand characteristics because it’s a lab participants may figuire out the aim of the study
lacks ecological validity as it can’t be generalised to the outside world
What is a naturalistic observation?
Natural environment
observing spontaneously occurring behaviour in the participants natural environment .
What is a overt observation ?
When the psychologist is open about their observation.
they make their presence obvious and people know their behaviour is being recorded.
What are the strengths of a covert observation ?
Reduces demand characteristics as it is a natural environment. So they will behave more naturally
greater validity
What are the weaknesses of covert observations ?
Ethical issues as participants are unaware they are being observed there is no informed consent
psychological harm - embarassment when they find out they’ve been observed
deception
dangerous
What are the strengths
of a participant observation ?
Gather more information as you may be trusted
Greater in depth data
What are the weaknesses of participant observations ?
Ethical issues
protection from harm : participants may get Upset that they had been lied to eg if you pretend to be their friend
may loose sight of what is being done. Forget that they’re mean to be observing others.
dabgerous especially when dealing with firmness
What is a structured observation ?
This is if there is too much going on in an obersvation
the target behaviours are simplified into behavioural categories.
What are the strengths of a structured observation ?
Recording data is easier and more systematic because of the use of behavioural categories.
data is more likely to be numerical (quantitative ) so analysing and comparing the behaviour observed between participants is more straightforward.
Reduced risk of observer bias due to the use of objective behavioural categories
What is an unstructured observation ?
the observor writes down everything they see
this is appropriate when the observation is small in scale and involves few participants
it tends to produce rich detailed data
What is the strength of an unstructured observation
There is a richness and depth of detail in the data collected
What are the weaknesses of an unstructured observation ?
Because data tends to be qualitative but t is more difficult to record and analyse
a greater risk of observor bias because the objective behavioural caregories found in structured observations are not used therefore the researcher may only record behaviours that bath their eye and these may not be the most important or useful
What are the weaknesses of overt observations ?
Demand characteristics as participants know they’re being observed they may change their behaviour and respond to demand characteristics to either do what they think the observer would want them to do ( please you ) or go agaisnt it (screw you )
less ecological validity as behaviour may be unatural
What are the strengths of a non participant observation ?
No ethical issues
safer as you stay a fair distance away from participants
What are the weaknesses of non participant observations ?
Won’t gather as much information as you are observing from a distance
What is a strength of event sampling?
When target behaviours happen quite infrequently and could be missed If time sampling was used
What is a strength of time sampling ?
It is effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made
What is a controlled observation ?
Some variables are regulated by the researcher. Reducing the naturalness of the environment and the behaviour .
participants are likely to know they are being studied and the study may be conducted in a lab.
What is the limitation of a natural observation ?
No control over extraneous variables
What is a covert observation ?
Where the psychologist observes an individual or group without them being aware.
What is observer bias ?
A researcher observing what they expect to see or want to see when a researcher is observing participants.
and doesnt notice other things due to them being focused on the things they are expecting to observe
What is time sampling ?
Recording behavioir in a pre established time frame.
A record lasting for a predetermined length of time is made at regular time intervals
What is a strength of a controlled observation ?
High levels of control over extraneous variables
reliability as it can be repeated
What are the strengths of overt observations ?
no ethical issues
consent has been given
What is a participant observation ?
When the observer is part of the group they are observing
What is a non participant observation ?
involve the researcher watching the behaviour and act as a non participant .
the psychologist is not directly involved in what’s being observed and records data from a distance
