research methods 1 - the observation method

Question 1

4 features of an observation

Answer 1

• systematic measurement of spontaneously occurring behaviour
• can be conducted in a controlled or naturalistic environment
• can be structured or unstructured
• researcher decides which behaviours they’ll record beforehand to reduce observer bias

Question 2

what are the types of observation

Answer 2

• naturalistic and controlled
• structured and unstructured
• participant and non participant
• covert and overt

Question 3

evaluate naturalistic observations

Answer 3

strengths:
- high levels of ecological validity (natural environment)
- minimised demand characteristics (pts unaware of observation)

weaknesses:
- no control over extraneous variables
- if pts are unaware it raises ethical issues

Question 4

evaluate controlled observations - 2 each

Answer 4

strengths:
- researchers have high control over situation to reduce extraneous variables
- high level of reliability (easy to replicate)

weaknesses:
- possible demand characteristics (pts know of the observation)
- low ecological validity (artificial environment)

Question 5

evaluate structured observations - 2 each

Answer 5

strengths:
- high levels of reliability
- easy and quick to analyse the quantitative data produced

weaknesses:
- pts may be affected by the fact they know their behaviour is being recorded
- low ecological validity

Question 6

evaluate unstructured observations - 2 each

Answer 6

strengths:
- high levels of ecological validity
- all behaviours can be captured

weaknesses:
- low level of reliability
- if pts are unaware of observation it raises ethical issues

Question 7

evaluate non participant observations - 3 each

Answer 7

strengths:
- researcher can obtain more in depth data as they are in close proximity
- limits observer bias; due to the fact the researcher isn’t involved in behaviour it is less likely to affect the participants behaviour
- observation readings more accurate as they are recorded in real time

weaknesses:
- researchers presence may influence participants behaviour
- hard to observe all participants behaviours equally
- limits the behaviours that can be studied

Question 8

evaluate participant observations - 3 each

Answer 8

strengths:
- investigator effects are less likely as researcher isn’t visible
- allows researchers to observe behaviour that may otherwise be out of their reach
- less chance of demand characteristics

weaknesses:
- loses objectivity, more subjectivity (we will see what we “expect/want” to see
- cannot record behaviour as it occurs so it is more inaccurate
- less proximity means that the researcher may miss behaviours

Question 9

evaluate overt observations

Answer 9

strengths:
- limits ethical issues (informed consent)

weaknesses:
- investigator effects may reduce validity

Question 10

evaluate covert observations

Answer 10

strengths:
- high ecological validity (unlikely investigator effects)

weaknesses:
- ethical issues (no informed consent)

Question 11

what is a naturalistic observation

Answer 11

takes place in the participants natural environment

Question 12

what is a controlled observation

Answer 12

takes place in some form of controlled environment

Question 13

what is a structured observation

Answer 13

• data would be gathered using a pre written collection grid or coding sheet to record frequency
• produces quantitative data
• standardised

Question 14

what is an unstructured observation

Answer 14

• researcher uses direct observation to record behaviours as they occur
• no predetermined plan
• transcript

Question 15

what is a non participant observation

Answer 15

psychologist doesn’t participate in the group and simply observes

Question 16

what is a participant observation

Answer 16

when psychologist feels the need to join in the behaviour of the group

Question 17

what is a covert observation

Answer 17

when the researcher doesn’t tell the group they are being studied

Question 18

what is an overt observation

Answer 18

when the researcher does tell the group they’re being studied

Question 19

what is time sampling

Answer 19

when observer records behaviour at regular time intervals
( record behaviour every 30 seconds for 2 minutes )

Question 20

evaluate time sampling ( 2 each )

Answer 20

strengths:
- less tiring for observer as they get rest periods
- reduces time needed to spend observing, may increase accuracy

weaknesses:
- observer may miss behaviours during non observation time
- monitoring the time intervals may be inaccurate or difficult

Question 21

what is event sampling

Answer 21

when an observer decides in advance which behaviours they will observe and records every time the event occurs

Question 22

evaluate event sampling

Answer 22

strengths:
- easier to conduct than time sampling
- less likely to miss behaviours
- useful when the behaviour that the researcher is interested in doesn’t happen very often

weaknesses:
- can be long for the observer because