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Observations Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an observation?

A

Where a researcher observes and records participants behaviour but does not manipulate any variables

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2
Q

What is a naturalistic observation?

A

Where participants are observed in their natural environment

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3
Q

What are the strengths of a naturalistic observation?

A
  1. Natural environment - participants not aware they are being studied, less likely to change their behaviour, reducing demand characteristics
  2. More ethical - no intervention where it would be unethical E.g. investigating behaviours in domestic abuse
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4
Q

What are the weaknesses of a naturalistic observation?

A
  1. More extraneous variables - due to natural environment, harder to control, therefore reducing validity
  2. If observers are identified or suspected by participants, validity is compromised
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5
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A

An observation being slightly controlled by the researcher, but with no IV. Usually conducted in laboratory setting

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6
Q

What are the strengths of a controlled observation?

A
  1. Data is reliable - scientific equipment can be used and researchers can be obvious
  2. Control over extraneous variables - increases validity
  3. More generalisable - compared to experiments, a much greater range of behaviours can be explored, gives useful insight into human behaviour
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7
Q

What are the weaknesses of a controlled observation?

A
  1. More demand characteristics - participants in an unfamiliar/ potentially artificial environment, so may change behaviour
  2. Lacks ecological validity - difficult to represent the reality of a complex social setting due to artificial environment
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8
Q

What is an overt observation?

A

An observation where participants know that they are being observed

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9
Q

What are the strengths of an overt observation?

A
  1. More ethical - participants aware they are being observed, so have given informed consent
  2. Can reduce demand characteristics - if observed for long periods of time, participants may forget they are being observed and act more naturally
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10
Q

What are the weaknesses of an overt observation?

A
  1. Reduces validity - increase of social desirability as participants are aware they are being observed, therefore may change behaviour to seem more favourable
  2. May increase demand characteristics - participant is aware of researcher, may change behaviour to fit with what they think researcher wants to see, reducing validity
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11
Q

What is a covert observation?

A

An observation where participants do not know they are being observed

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12
Q

What are the strengths of a covert observation?

A
  1. Increases validity - participants unaware they are being observed, so more likely to act naturally
  2. Reduces demand characteristics - participants unaware of researcher, less likely for them to try to fit researchers expectations
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13
Q

What are the weaknesses of a covert observation?

A
  1. Less ethical - participant unaware they are taking part, have not given informed consent, harder to follow other ethical considerations E.g. right to withdraw, debrief
  2. May decrease validity - if participants become aware of researcher, they may change behaviour
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14
Q

What is an unstructured observation?

A

An observation where the observer records everything they see during the observation

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15
Q

What are the strengths of an unstructured observation?

A
  1. Increases validity - researcher takes all behaviours into account, meaning a wide perspective/ spread is gathered, resulting in more valid conclusions
  2. More rich and complete data gathered - no limitation of specific categories, so any relevant behaviours can be recorded
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16
Q

What are the weaknesses of an unstructured observation?

A
  1. May reduce validity - harder to record as researcher has to pay attention to everything, so some behaviours may be missed
  2. Harder to become reliable - limited focus, if it were replicated the focus would likely be different
  3. More observer bias - researcher may only write down behaviours that support their own theories, reducing validity
17
Q

What is a structured observation?

A

An observation where the researcher uses predefined coding categories for behaviour

18
Q

What are the strengths of a structured observation?

A
  1. Increases validity - easier to record as there is a specific focus on certain behaviours as researcher is not distracted by others, or behaviours that may be irrelevant to research aim
  2. Improve replicability - easier to establish inter-rater reliability as there is a clear, planned focus on behaviour, so research could be easily used and understood in a consistent way
19
Q

What are the weaknesses of a structured observation?

A
  1. Can reduce validity - as there is a clear focus, behaviours that may important can be missed due to it not being part of the planned behaviours
  2. Open to observer bias - researcher may interpret behaviours in a way that fits into the planned categories, therefore reducing validity as it may not reflect what actually happened
20
Q

What is a participant observation?

A

An observation where the researcher is engaged with participants as part of the social setting

21
Q

What are the strengths of a participant observation?

A
  1. Increase validity - if participant are unaware of the observer, they may act more naturally and reveal more than they would otherwise
  2. More valid conclusions - researcher has more detailed and accurate insights and perspectives as they are part of the social setting themselves
22
Q

What are the weaknesses of a participant observation?

A
  1. Less ethical - if a participant observer needs to remain hidden, participants are not able to give informed consent
  2. Observer may become subjective - they may get lost in the moment they may begin to interpret behaviour at a personal level (building relationships) and it may become more opinionated rather than what is actually happening
23
Q

What is a non-participant observation?

A

An observation where the researcher is not engaged with participants in the social setting and remains separate

24
Q
A

Psychology (6 decks)

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