Observations Flashcards
What are the three things that define an observation and give an example
These can directly identify and record human behaviour
These do not include IVs, they are not experiments.
Either lab or natural
E.g how a child responds to their mother
What are the four design factors for an observation?
1- Lab or natural
2- PPT vs non PPT observer
3. Covert vs Overt
4. Event or Time sampling
What is a lab observation and what are the strengths/ weaknesses?
these take place in a lab where researcher can manipulate variables + environment
strengths: high control, often easier to record information
weaknesses: lacks ecological validity
What is a natural observation and what are the strengths/ weaknesses?
These take place in the natural world
Strengths: very realistic, can study behaviours that aren’t possible in the lab e.g gang activity
Weaknesses: low control, harder to replicate
What are the strengths to PPT observer?
Strengths: they will have a first hand experience to see the fine detail involved and they will experience the emotions involved in the study
Define PPT observer
where the observer actively participates in what they are observing
What are the weaknesses to PPT observer?
Weaknesses: it is hard to see the whole picture because they are involved at a level or such fine detail
What is non PPT observer?
Where the observer doesn’t participate in the activities they are observing
What are the strengths to non PPT observer?
the observer will be able to see the whole picture more clearly
What are the weaknesses to non PPT observer?
The observer may miss the fine detail and not fully understand what is happening from the PPT’s perspective.
What is a covert observation?
Where the researcher is hidden and cannot be seen.
What is the strength to a covert observation?
The ppts act more naturally as they aren’t aware they are being studied.
What is the weakness to a covert observation?
The code of consent is broken as the ppts aren’t allowing for it to happen, only in public is it not needed.
What is an overt observation?
This is where the researcher isn’t hidden and the ppts are aware they are being watched.
What is the strength to an overt observation?
They are ethical as the ppts must’ve given consent.
What is the weakness to an overt observation?
They may cause the ppts to change their behaviour, as they are aware they are being studied/watched, risking of the Hawthorne effect and social desirability bias (SDB)
Define sampling data
Recording data/ info during an observation
What are the two options a researcher has to record data during an observation?
Option 1- Episodic sampling (event)
Option 2- Interval sampling (time)
What is episodic (event) sampling?
Behaviour categories are created and then each time one of the behaviours is seen, it is recorded in a table/ tally chart.
What are the three rules to Behaviour Categorising?
1- exhaustive
2- mutually exclusive
3- clear
What is the 1st rule, exhaustive, in behaviour categorising?
All of the categories of interest should be covered.
What is the 2nd rule, mutually exclusive, in behaviour categorising?
there should be NO overlap in categories where a behaviour should fit into just one of them.
What happens if behaviour categorising isn’t mutually exclusive?
The observer will not know which category to tick off, (if the options overlap) which loses both reliability and validity of the observation.
What is the 3rd rule in behaviour categorising?
The categories should be clear and easy to use.
What is interval (time) sampling?
Time intervals are chosen before the observation, (e.g once every 2mins). An alarm / flashing light can be set to remind the observer to write anything that is occurring down. When behaviour categorising cannot be used, this is instead.
Define pilot studies.
These can be conducted to make sure the categorises chosen are appropriate and that the observers are able to achieve an elevated level of inter-observer (or inter-rater) reliability.
What is inter-observer (inter-rater) reliability?
This involves checking the reliability (consistency) of the results from the involved observers. A correlational analysis is used, where each of the observer’s scores are the covariables.
What should the result of a correlational analysis be for when pilot studies are done?
There should be a strong positive correlation between the two observers, with the coefficient value expected to be at least 80% similar.
Define Hawthorne Effect
when observed, our behaviour changes because we feel under pressure.
Define Social Desirability Bis (SDB)
we try to look as positive as we can when being observed.
What should the relationship value be for the correlational analysis between multiple observers’ scores?
0.8 (80%+)
