Observations

Question 1

What are observations

Answer 1

This is when researchers observe or record behaviours / responses of the subject.

Question 2

What are the types of observations

Answer 2

-Participant
-Non-participant
-Naturalistic observation
-Unstructured observation
-Controlled observation

Question 3

What is participation observation

Answer 3

-The researcher is part of the social context of the subject

Question 4

Strengths of Participant Observation

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Weaknesses of participant observation

Answer 5

Low objectivity - Researcher risks, forming close, relationships with ss, lowering objectivity.

Violates the guidelines of informed consent and right to withdraw.

Question 6

Non-participant observation

Answer 6

• The researcher is not part of the social context of the subject i.e not involved in the situation being observed

Question 7

Advantages of non-participant observation

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Disadvantages of non-participant observation

Answer 8

Low validity of data due to extraneous variables e.g obstruction

If the observer is overt there is high risk of dc

Question 9

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is structured naturalistic observation

Answer 10

A structured observation is when the behaviours to be observed <behaviour> are decided in advance.</behaviour>

• Behavior categories are listed in a checklist.

Question 11

Strengths of structured observation

Answer 11

Reliable because of standardization of behavior categories.The behaviors observed are the same for all the subjects

Easy to analyze data from structured observation

Question 12

Weakness of structured observation

Answer 12

1)Less valid data - the researcher risks leaving out important behaviors.The data is less detailed

Question 13

What is unstructured observation

Answer 13

• This is when behaviour categories are not decided in advance. The researcher observes and records any relevant behaviour.

Question 14

Strengths of unstructured observation

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Weaknesses of unstructured observation

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What are controlled observation

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

Weaknesses of naturalistic observation

Answer 18

• 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.

Question 19

Strengths of controlled observation

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Weaknesses of controlled observation

Answer 20

1. Low ecological validity - changes in the ss physical and social contexts alters their experiences. Their experiences are not natural.
2. High risk demand characteristicis - ss are observed in a controlled setting. Even if the aim is cancelled, there is still a risk of dc