Observations Flashcards
What are observations
This is when researchers observe or record behaviours / responses of the subject.
What are the types of observations
-Participant
-Non-participant
-Naturalistic observation
-Unstructured observation
-Controlled observation
What is participation observation
-The researcher is part of the social context of the subject
Strengths of Participant Observation
1) Low risk of, demand characteristic - ss are unaware al the presence of a researcher.
2)High validity of data - researcher watches from the perspective of the ss so data is firsthand
Weaknesses of participant observation
Low objectivity - Researcher risks, forming close, relationships with ss, lowering objectivity.
Violates the guidelines of informed consent and right to withdraw.
Non-participant observation
- The researcher is not part of the social context of the subject i.e not involved in the situation being observed
Advantages of non-participant observation
1) Low demand characteristics- if the observer is hidden the ss are unaware of his presence- hence will behave naturally
High objectivity low risk of forming close relationships with ss
Disadvantages of non-participant observation
Low validity of data due to extraneous variables e.g obstruction
If the observer is overt there is high risk of dc
Naturalistic Observation
This type of observation happens in the ss natural environment. The researcher does not interfere wil the ss physical or social setting.
- Naturalistic observation could be structured or unstructured
What is structured naturalistic observation
A structured observation is when the behaviours to be observed <behaviour> are decided in advance.</behaviour>
- Behavior categories are listed in a checklist.
Strengths of structured observation
Reliable because of standardization of behavior categories.The behaviors observed are the same for all the subjects
Easy to analyze data from structured observation
Weakness of structured observation
1)Less valid data - the researcher risks leaving out important behaviors.The data is less detailed
What is unstructured observation
- This is when behaviour categories are not decided in advance. The researcher observes and records any relevant behaviour.
Strengths of unstructured observation
Valid data - a lot of data is obtained as all relevant as behaviors are recorded.
The researcher does not risk leaving out important behaviour.
They can generate in-depth, rich quantitative data that can help explain why behaviours are occurring
Weaknesses of unstructured observation
1). Lests reliable because of lack of standardisation. The behaviours observed may be different from subject subject.
2) Difficult to analyse data from unstructured observation
3) Observers may easily be drawn to eye catching behaviours and hence may not fully represent all the behaviours
Strengths of naturalistic observation
High ecological validity- the ss are in their natural environment this behaviors are likely to be natural
Unstructured naturalistic observations are valid
Structured naturalistic observations are reliable.
What are controlled observation
- Done in a controlled setting The social and physical contexts of the subjects is manipulated or changed.
The researcher may add or remove items from the immediate environment.
Controlled can be structured or unstructured.
Weaknesses of naturalistic observation
- Attrition and obstruction could lower the validity of data.
- Fewer standardisation may lower reliability,
(Attrition is when subjects leave the environment Where they are being observed due to natural factors such as rain, bell ringing, , death, relocate.)
- The fewer the ‘subject’s the lower the validity.
Strengths of controlled observation
1) High internal validity due to the controlled setting /environment
2) High validity due to standardisation of the experiences of the subjects. eg the researcher- may provide same items to the ss , use the same observation schedules etc.
3) High inter-rater reliability scores from 2 or more observers are compared for consistency.
Weaknesses of controlled observation
- Low ecological validity - changes in the ss physical and social contexts alters their experiences. Their experiences are not natural.
- High risk demand characteristicis - ss are observed in a controlled setting. Even if the aim is cancelled, there is still a risk of dc
