Research methods 12: Observations

Question 1

What is an observation?

Answer 1

When a psychologist watches and records naturally occurring spontaneous behaviour

Question 2

How many types of observations are there?

Answer 2

There are 6 types

Question 3

What are the 6 types of observations distinguished by?

Answer 3

Characteristics such as location, participant awareness and the researchers involvement in the observation

Question 4

What does it mean if an observation is overt?

Answer 4

With participants knowledge

Question 5

What does it mean if an observation is covert?

Answer 5

Without participants knowledge

Question 6

What is a participant observation?

Answer 6

Where the researcher becomes a part of the group that they’re observing

Question 7

What are the two MAIN types of observations?

Answer 7

-Naturalistic observations
-Controlled observations

Question 8

Where do naturalistic observations take place?

Answer 8

In the participants natural environment e.g. children in a playground

Question 9

Where do controlled observations take place?

Answer 9

In some form of controlled environment which allows control over variables

Question 10

What real life example do we use for controlled research?

Answer 10

Ainsworth (1970) - Observed children under laboratory conditions, with controlled environment

Question 11

What real life example do we use for naturalistic research?

Answer 11

Robertson and Robertson (1952) - Investigating the effects of short-term separation in children in their natural environment

Question 12

What is the strength and weakness of naturalistic observations?

Answer 12

😁They have high ecological validity (external validity)
😫They lack control

Question 13

What is the strength and weakness of controlled observations?

Answer 13

😀They have high internal validity
😫They have low external validity

Question 14

Why do covert observations take place?

Answer 14

Because if people are aware that they are being studied they are likely to change their behaviour to match the aim

Question 15

What ethical issues surround covert observations?

Answer 15

-Consent, the participants didn’t agree to participate
-Deception, they don’t know the aim of the research
-Right to withdraw, unaware they are taking part, can’t withdraw

Question 16

What is the strength and weakness of covert observations?

Answer 16

😀It has less demand characteristics
😫It involves ethical issues

Question 17

What is the strength and weakness of overt observations?

Answer 17

😀It lacks ethical issues
😫It can suffer from demand characteristics

Question 18

Why do participant observations take place?

Answer 18

So that the researcher can gain a better insight into behaviour, such as what they are doing if integrated and trusted.

Question 19

What are non-participant observations?

Answer 19

Where the researcher remains separate from those they are studying, records behaviour in a more objective manner

Question 20

Why are non-participant observations used sometimes?

Answer 20

It can be impractical, inappropriate or even impossible for the researcher to join some groups e.g. dangerous groups, children

Question 21

What is a strength and weakness of participant observations?

Answer 21

😀It has high internal validity
😫It lacks objectivity

Question 22

What is a strength and weakness of non-participant observations?

Answer 22

😀It is more objective
😫It lacks internal validity

Question 23

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 23

A way of collecting data where the researcher uses direct observation to record behaviours as they occur. Writing down everything with no plan.

Question 24

What is a structured observation?

Answer 24

The data is collected using pre-determined lists of behaviours and sampling methods, such as a grid or coding sheet to record frequency.

Question 25

What is an advantage of structured observations over unstructured observations?

Answer 25

It eliminates researcher bias

Question 26

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 26

Precisely defined, specific and measurable categories of behaviour that allow behaviour to be observed and measured.

Question 27

What behavioural category would the behaviour of slapping come under?

Answer 27

Aggression

Question 28

What is the strength and weakness of structured observations?

Answer 28

😀They produce quantitative data
😫They may lose the richness of detail

Question 29

What is the strength and weakness of unstructured observations?

Answer 29

😀They tend to produce qualitative data
😫There may be a greater risk of observer bias

Question 30

What are two sampling methods?

Answer 30

-Event sampling
-Time sampling

Question 31

What is event sampling?

Answer 31

Counting the number of times a particular behaviour occurs in an individual or group

Question 32

What is time sampling?

Answer 32

Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame.

Question 33

What is the strength and weakness of event sampling?

Answer 33

😀Event sampling is useful when the target behaviour happens infrequently and could be missed
😫If the specified behaviour is too complicated the observer may overlook important details

Question 34

What is the strength and weakness of time sampling?

Answer 34

😀Effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made
😫Those instances when behaviour is sampled may not be representative of the whole observation