Observations

Question 1

Define controlled observation? AO1

Answer 1

-Conditions are manipulated by researcher
-may be carried out in a laboratory situation (artificial environment)

Question 2

Strength AO3? Controlled observation

Answer 2

-High in reliability = env is controlled and
standardised= easily repeated
- therefore will gain more respect from other professionals and public

Question 3

Limitation AO3? Controlled observation

Answer 3

Low in eco val= artificial/controlled setting
-does not reflect real life
-diff to gen beyond setting
- lowering external val

Question 4

Define naturalistic observation AO1

Answer 4

-Watching natural behaviour in natural env for the ppt where target behaviour would normally occur
-no manipulation of variables

Question 5

Strength AO3 naturalistic observation?

Answer 5

-less prone to demand characteristics
-increase internal validity
- high ecological validity= natural environment
-high in external val

Question 6

Limitation AO3 naturalistic observation?

Answer 6

Low in reliability= being observed in a natural environment.
- very diff to replicate the observation for consistency
- ethical issues= lack of informed consent

Question 7

Define overt observation AO1

Answer 7

Ppt are aware their being observed
-will be aware of purpose
-observer is visible to ppt

Question 8

Strength of overt observation?
A03

Answer 8

-more ethically appropriate= ppt know they are being observed

Question 9

Limitation overtobservation
AO3?

Answer 9

More prone to demand characteristics
-change natural behaviour help/hinder researcher
-lowering interval validity

Question 10

Define covert observation AO1?

Answer 10

-conducted without knowledge of ppt
-can be done by observer being hidden, secret camera, two way mirror

Question 11

Strength covert observation
A03?

Answer 11

Less prone to demand characteristics
-therefore unlikely to change natural behaviour
-increases interval validity

Question 12

Limitation covert observation
A03?

Answer 12

Ethical issues such as lack of informed consent
-ppt are unaware they are being studied

Question 13

Define ppt observation AO1?

Answer 13

-researcher involved with group
-data collected whilst being part of a group or situation

Question 14

Strength pot observation AO3?

Answer 14

-gain in depth understanding of g behaviour
-increasing internal validity

Question 15

Limitation pot observation AO3

Answer 15

-increased chances of researcher bias
-decreases objectivity of the observation
-therefore lower interval validity

Question 16

Define non ppt obs AO1?

Answer 16

-researcher not involved with group
-data collected from distance

Question 17

Strength AO3 non ppt obs

Answer 17

-reduced chance of researcher bias
-inc objectivity of the observation

Question 18

Limitation A03 non ppt

Answer 18

-less likely to gain in-depth understanding
-lowers the internal validity