observations Flashcards
what do observations focus on
particular categories of behaviour or events
why would a hypothesis be used in an observation
to guide observations
what do observations allow the researcher to do
study observable behaviour in a natural or controlled setting
does an observation have an iv/dv
no
what are the two types of observation
naturalistic observation and controlled observation
what is a naturalistic observation
the study of behaviour in its natural setting
what is a controlled observation
when the researcher attemps to control certain variables in an observation
how can control of variables be obtained in an observation
conducting it in a laboratory
what is a behaviour schedule
a checklist of precisely defined behaviour
what is an example of a controlled observation
ainsworth’s strange situation
what are the strengths of overt observations
can gain informed consent
what is a limitation of overt observations
observer bias, demand characteristics
what is a strength of covert observations
reduced demand characteristics
what is a limitation of covert observations
unethical - no consent, observer bias
what is a strength of participant observation
more controlled, in depth understanding of behaviour
what is a limitation of participant observation
ovserver bias, demand characteristics, investigator effects
what is a strength of non-participant observation
low investigator effects, reduced demand characteristics
what is a limitation of non-participant observation
observer bias, less controlled, possibility of misinterpreting information
what is a strength of controlled observations
highly controlled, replicable
what is a limitation of controlled observations
observer bias, demand characteristics, artificiality
what is a strength of a naturalistic observation
low demand characteristics, realism, high external validity
what is a limitation of a naturalistic observation
lack of control, not replicable, observer bias
what is investigator effects
when a researcher unintentionally, or unconsciously influences the outcome of any research they are conducting
what is observer bias
when a researcher’s expectations, opinions, or prejudices influence what they perceive or record in a study
what is an overt observation
a disclosed observation qs the participants have given consent to be observed
what is a covert observation
an undisclosed observation qs the participants haven’t given consent to be observed
what is a participant observation
when the researcher actually joins the group and takes part in the situation they are observing
what is a non participant observation
when the researcher chooses not to play any part in what is being observed and watches from a distance
what is a structured observation
using a behaviour schedule
what is an unstructured observation
recording everything with no schedule
what is event sampling
creating behaviour categories and recording a tally every time each behaviour is displayed
what is time sampling
can be used with/without categories recording each time a behaviour is displayed within a given time frame e.g. 1min
which is more frequently used, event sampling or time sampling?
event sampling
what ethical considerations must be considered in an observation
informed consent
what is interobserver reliability
the extent which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way
