Observations

Question 1

What is an observation?

Answer 1

Where a researcher observes and records what they see. An observation can be used as a part of an experiment or used alonse as a method of collecting data

Question 2

These link to the advantage and disadvantages of a controlled observatio

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a naturalistic observation?

Naturalistic vs Contolled

Answer 2

• Advantages=High eco validtiy/Can be generalised to real life
• Disadvantage=Difficult to replicate due to low control of variables

Naturalistic Observation occurs in a natural setting where that type of behaviour would occur

Question 3

These link to advantages and disadvantages of overt observations

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a covert obsevation?

Covert vs Overt

Answer 3

• Advantages=No demand characteristics or S.D.B/Behaviour is more natural
• Disadvantages=Less ethical as informed consent cannot be given

Covert observations are when the observers aren’t visible to participants and they are unaware they are being observed

Question 4

These link to features of non-participant observation

What are the advatanges and disadvantages of a participant observation?

Participant vs Non-participant

Answer 4

• Advantages=In-depth data as they are unlikely to overlook or miss any behaviour
• Disadvantages=Affects objectivity

Participant observations are when the researcher becomes a member of the group they are observing

Question 5

This links to the features of an unstructured observation

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a structured observation?

Structure vs Unstructured

Answer 5

• Advantages=Makes recording of data easier and can be replicated
• Disadvantages=Important information may be missed if it hasn’t been identified as a category

Question 6

Give an advantage and disadvantage

What is time sampling?

Answer 6

Designing behavioural categories or coding frames of anticipated behaviours. Also agreeing on a schedule on when you will observe and how long for each time
* Advantage=Reduces the number of observations needed to make
* Disadvantage= May be unrepresentitive of observation as a whole

Question 7

Give an advantage and disadvantage

What is event sampling?

Answer 7

Designing behavioural catergoires or coding frames of anticipated behaviour and tallying every times you seen an instance of the behaviour on the coding scheme
* Advantage=Useful if behaviour doesn’t happen frequently so could be missed in time sampling
* Disadvantage=If too many observations happen at once,it may be difficult to record everything

Question 8

Describe how inter-observer reliability would occur

Answer 8

1. Familiarise with behavioural categories
2. Observer same behaviour at same time in pilot study
3. Compare data and discuss any differences
4. Conduct observation,analyse data
5. Calculate reliability by correlating each pair of observations made to assertain their level of agreement