observations Flashcards
what is naturalistic observation
studied in a natural setting
everything is left as it would normally be
researcher doesnt intervene
what is a controlled observation
some variables are controlled by the researcher
pps know they are being studied
usually conducted in lab conditions
evaluation (adv and dis) of naturalistic observation
+ high ecological validity
+ no demand characteristics
- low internal validity
- ethics
evaluation (adv and dis) of controlled observation
+ high internal validity
- low ecological validity
- demand characteristics
what is overt observation
the pps are aware of observation
what is covert observation
participants arent aware of observation
evaluation (adv and dis) of overt observation
+ ethics
- demand charcteristics
- low ecological validity
evaluation (adv and dis) of covert observation
+ realistic behaviour
+ high ecological validity
- ethics
what is participant observation
the observer joind the group being studied
behaviour is studied from the inside
what is non participant observation
the observer watches from a distance and doesnt interact with the people being studied
evaluation (adv and dis) of participant observation
+ better understanding
+ can manipulate/ influence
- may miss things
what is structured observation
an organised observation where behaviour categories and sampling procedures are used
what is unstructured observation
the researcher records all relevant behaviour without a system in place
evaluation (adv and dis) of non participating observation
+ more objective
+ alert
- can only observe whats being observed
evaluation (adv and dis) of structured observation
+ more objective/ less observer bias
- less detail/ more quantitive data
evaluation (adv and dis) of unstructured observation
+ more detail collected
- more observer bias/ more qualitive
what is time sampling
recording any behaviours which occurs in given set time intervals
what is event sampling
counting a specific number if times a certain behaviour occurs within a set period of time
reasons to chosoe/ not choose event sampling
+behaviour will not be missed
+ good for infrequent behaviour
- time consuming
- difficult to record everything
reasons to choose/ not choose time sampling
+ time to record what is seen
- behaviours may have been missed
