Observations Flashcards
What are structured observations ?
The researcher has pre determined behaviours ready to tally
Strengths of structured observations?
There’s a clear direction
Good for inter reliability
Easy to record and analyse
Less likely to miss behaviours
Weaknesses of structured observations ?
Behaviours may occur that aren’t on the checklist and then don’t get recorded
Observers bias could occur when making checklist behaviours
What are unstructured observations ?
The researcher does not have a pre determined behaviour checklist and records any behaviours they see.
Strengths of unstructured observations ?
Allows the observer to record any behaviours they see.
Not restricted to a checklist
Weaknesses of unstructured observations ?
May lose sight of the actual observation and have too many behaviours to record
Difficult to record and analyse
What are naturalistic observations ?
An observation carried out in a natural environment/ where you would expect to see that behaviour occur
Strengths of naturalistic observations ?
Higher ecological validity
Weaknesses of naturalistic observations ?
Less control by researcher
Less replicable
May be unethical
What are controlled observations ?
Observations in a controlled setting
Strengths of controlled observations ?
Researcher has more control over the observation
Easy to replicate
Weaknesses of controlled observations ?
Low ecological validity
What are participant observations ?
Where the observers are part of or pretending to be part of participants that are being observed
Strengths of participant observations ?
Observers gain first hand data. This may lead to greater accuracy and detail
Less likely to miss behaviours
Weaknesses of participant observations ?
May show observer bias, they may get caught up in the observation and interpret the behaviours how they want
What are Non participant observations ?
The researcher is not part of the observation
Strengths of no participant observations ?
Less chance of observer bias if not involved in the observation
Weaknesses of non participant observations ?
May miss certain behaviours
Difficult to observe every behaviour
Data may be less detailed
What are overt observations ?
Participants know they are being observed
Strengths of overt observations?
Reduces ethical issues
Weaknesses of overt observations ?
Participants may change their behaviour if they know they are being observed
What are covert observations ?
They don’t know they are being observed
Strengths of covert observations ?
No chance of observer effect
No demand characteristics/ observer bias
Weaknesses of covert observations ?
Less ethical and must only be done in a public place
What is time sampling ?
Observes a specific time
Records at fixed time intervals
Strengths of time sampling ?
Less likely to miss behaviours as observer should be more focused
Easier to record
Weaknesses of time sampling ?
May miss some behaviours if they occur when the observer isn’t recording behaviours
What is event sampling ?
A researcher records behaviours every time it happens
Strengths of event sampling ?
Validity is increased if all behaviours are recorded
Weaknesses of event sampling ?
May miss some behaviours if several happen at once and it’s difficult to keep track
What are behavioural categories ?
When there are categories of behaviours
Strengths of behavioural categories ?
Gives the researcher direction
More likely to record every behaviour they need to
Weaknesses of behaviour categories ?
May restrict the researcher and only focus on listed behaviours
What are coding frames ?
When behavioural categories are coded and can be rated
Strengths of coding frames ?
Allows the behaviour checklist to contain more detail .
Weaknesses of coding frames ?
Observers may interpret
What is an observer effect ?
When the presence of the observer on an overt observation changes the participants behaviours
What is inter rated reliability ?
2 or more observers observe at the same time and record the same behaviours. They compare the data
What is observer bias ?
When observers see why they expect to see/ want to see
