Observations✅

Question 1

what variable do observations allow you to assess?

Answer 1

the DV

Question 2

what are there 6 types of observational techniques?

Answer 2

1- naturalistic 
2- controlled 
3- covert
4- overt
5- participant 
6- non- participant

Question 3

what a good thing about observational techniques?

whats a bad thing about them?

Answer 3

they can capture unexpected behaviour and give an insight into actual behaviour where ppl don’t act differently

theres a risk of observer bias, expectations may effect the researchers interpretation of the situation

Question 4

1- naturalistic:
what is it?

✅strength

❌weakness

Answer 4

takes place where the target behaviour would normally occur

✅high external validity - more spontaneous behaviour in a natural setting and more generalisable to everyday

❌low control on variables, makes it difficult to detect patterns

Question 5

2- controlled:
what is it?

✅strength?

❌ weakness

Answer 5

manipulation off variables including EV’s

✅can be replicated due to standardised procuedures

❌ may have low external validity - findings cant be applied too everyday life

Question 6

3- covert:
what is it?

strength ✅

weakness ❌

Answer 6

ppts are unaware they’re being studied

✅ demand characteristics reduced, ppts dot know there being watched so there behaviour is more natural - increasing validity of findings

❌ ethically questionable - ppl may not want their behaviour to be recorded without there consent, may affect privacy

Question 7

4- overt:

what is it?

strength?

weakness?

Answer 7

ppts are aware their being studied

✅ more ethically acceptable, ppts have given their consent to be recorded and they have the right ti withdraw if they wish

❌ demand characteristics, knowledge of being studied can. influence behave. reducing the validity of the findings

Question 8

5- ppt:

what is it?

strength?

weakness?

Answer 8

researcher becomes part of the group there studying

✅ can lead to greater insight, researcher experiences the same thug as pts, enhances the validity

❌ possible loss of objectivity, researcher may identify too strongly with these there studying , threatening objectivity and validity

Question 9

6 - non ppt:

what is it?

strength?

weakness?

Answer 9

researcher remains separate from the group there studying

✅ more objective - researcher keeps distance to reduce bias, increasing validity of findings

❌ loss of insight - researcher may be too far removed from those there studying reducing validity of findings

Question 10

observational design:

what are the 3 types? define

Answer 10

behavioural catergories = target behave to be observed should be broke up into categories

time sampling = observations are made at regular intervals such as every 3 mins

event sampling = a target behav. is recorded every time it occurs