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Psychology - Research Methods (1) > Psychology - Research Methods - Observations > Flashcards

Psychology - Research Methods - Observations Flashcards

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1
Q

Observations

A

When a researcher watches or listens to participants engaging in behaviour that is being studied

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2
Q

What are the observational techniques?

A

Controlled/Naturalistic, Covert/Overt, Participant/Non-Participant

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3
Q

Non participant observation

A

The researcher is not involved in what is going on. The researcher is external to what is going on/the people being observed.

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4
Q

What are advantages of Non-Participant observation?

A
  • Allows researcher to remain objective - More validity as the participants won’t act differently
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5
Q

Disadvantages of Non-Participant Observations

A
  • Researcher is less able to contextualise the observed behaviour - Demand characteristics due to someone watching
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6
Q

Participant Observation

A

Researcher is involved in participants activities

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7
Q

Advantages of participant observation

A

More understanding of what’s going on so more validity

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8
Q

Disadvantages of participant observation

A

Loses objectivity - Retrospective invalidity

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9
Q

Covert Observation

A

Psychologist goes undercover and doesn’t reveal their true identity

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10
Q

Evaluation of covert observation

A
  • Unethical and debriefing is required + Less demand characteristics
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11
Q

Overt observation

A

Participants know they are being observed, psychologist reveals true identity

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12
Q

Overt observation advantage

A

More ethically acceptable

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13
Q

Overt observation disadvantage

A
  • Demand characteristics so less valid and reliable due to observer effect
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14
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

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15
Q

Advantages of naturalistic observation

A
  • Participants are unaware they are observed so less demand characteristics - High mundane realism so high ecological validity - usually more ethical
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16
Q

disadvantages of naturalistic observation

A
  • Impossible to control extraneous variables - Hard to determine cause of behaviour due to lack of control - Observer bias if overt observation is used
17
Q

Controlled observation

A

Researcher observes participants in a controlled environment for manipulation of an IV

18
Q

Controlled observation advantages

A
  • Cause and effect determined because the observation is highly controlled - Extraneous variables can be controlled in this type of observation so more valid results - Yield qualitative data increasing validity
19
Q

Controlled observation disadvantages

A
  • Low levels of mundane realism and ecological validity due to high control - Observer effects can occur as participants know they are being observed
20
Q

Observer bias

A

When observer knows study’s purpose and may observe behaviours that they think meet their aims and hypothesis, influencing how they record the data as it may be subjective

21
Q

Behavioural categories

A

Specific types of behaviour that are being looked for in an observation

22
Q

What are the two types of Sampling procedures?

A

Event sampling, Time interval sampling

23
Q

Event sampling

A

Observer decides in advance what types of behaviour they are interested in and records all occurrences . All other types of behaviour are ignored

24
Q

Time interval sampling

A

Observer decides in advance that observation will take place only during specified time periods and records the occurrence of the specified behaviour during that period only

25
Q

Inter rater reliability

A

The extent to which two or more raters agree on the results they have gained in order to improve reliability and increase consistency

26
Q

Pilot studies

A

A small-scale study to identify any flaws in the procedure

27
Q
A

Psychology - Research Methods (1) (12 decks)

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