Observations Flashcards
what is a participant observation?
Where the interviewer becomes apart of the group being observed
Advantages of participant observations?
Researcher has indebth data so can’t miss behaviour
Disadvantages of participant observations?
Observer bias, researcher in group could affect objectivity
What is a non-participant observation?
When the researcher remains outside of group
Advantages of non-participant observation?
More objective as researcher isnt part of group
Disadvantages of non-participant observations?
Researcher doesn’t gain as much insight as not inside groups
What is a structured observation?
Reasercher uses a system to organise findings
Disadvantages of structured observations?
important info missed if hasn’t been identified as a category
Advantages of structured interviews?
makes data easier and more replicable
Whats an unstructured observation?
All seen information/behaviour is recorded
Advantages of unstructured observations?
detailed/rich in data
Disadvantages of unstructured observations?
too much to record, observer bias
What is a naturalistic observation?
watching and recording behaviour in a setting it would normal be performed in
Advantages of naturalistic observation?
high ecological validty
Disadvantages of naturalistic observation?
Hard to replicate due to low control of variables
What’s a controlled observation?
Watching behaviour in a structured environment
Advantages of controlled observation?
easier to replicate due controlled variables
Disadvantages of controlled observations?
Unnatural environment, low ecological validity
What’s a covert observation?
Observers aren’t visible and participants aren’t aware behaviour is being observer
Advantages of covert observation?
Behaviour more nature
Disadvantages of covert observation?
Less ethical, cant give informed consent
What’s overt observation?
Participants are aware behaviours being recorded
Advantages of overt observation?
Ethical,participants can give informed consent
Disadvantages of overt observation?
Social desirability
Whats time sampling?
Designing behaviour category’s (6 max) and deciding a time schedule of when behaviours recorded e.g. every 2 minutes
Advantages of time sampling?
Reduces number of observations made
Disadvantages of time sampling?
Unrepresentative of observation as something may occur when not being observed
What’s event sampling?
Behaviour is categorised and or coded in frame work, everytime you see something that represents behaviour category or coding scheme
Advantages of event sampling?
Useful behaviour happens frequently which would be missed if we used time sampling
Disadvantages of event sampling?
If too many observations occur at the same time it can be difficult to record everything
