Observations

Question 1

What are the types of observations

Answer 1

Naturalistic vs controlled

Covert vs overt

Participant vs non participant

Question 2

Whats a naturalistic observation

Answer 2

This invloved watching and recording of spontaneously occurring behaviour int he participants own, natural environment (usually a field experiment), participants are unaware that they are being observed

Question 3

Whats a controlled observation

Answer 3

This involves watching and recording a behaviour in a structured environment where conditions are being manipulated by the researcher.
(Usually a lab experiment)

Question 4

What’s a covert observation

Answer 4

This invloved watching the participants behaviour while they are unaware as the researcher on hidden from the participants (under cover — covert)

Question 5

Whats a overt observation

Answer 5

This is when the researcher watched and observers the particpants behaviours while they are aware, as the researcher is clearly visible to the particpants (overt — in the open)

Question 6

Whats a particpant observation

Answer 6

This is when the experimenter joins in with the participants and becomes a member of the group

Question 7

Whats non particpant observations

Answer 7

This is when the researcher observes the behaviours of the particpants, remaining outside the group

Question 8

Whats behavioural categories and limitations of these

Answer 8

The target behaviour to be observed should be broken up into a set of observable categories.

Limitation = difficult to make clear, categories should be distinct an not overlap “smiling and “grinning” are poor categories, this can lead to inaccurate results

Question 9

Whats event sampling

Answer 9

A target behaviour is recorded every time it occurs

Strength = useful if a behaviour is infrequent, and these could be easily missed during time sampling

Question 10

Whats time sampling

Answer 10

This is when observations are made at regular time intervals (every 15 seconds)