Research methods 12: Observations Flashcards
What is an observation?
When a psychologist watches and records naturally occurring spontaneous behaviour
How many types of observations are there?
There are 6 types
What are the 6 types of observations distinguished by?
Characteristics such as location, participant awareness and the researchers involvement in the observation
What does it mean if an observation is overt?
With participants knowledge
What does it mean if an observation is covert?
Without participants knowledge
What is a participant observation?
Where the researcher becomes a part of the group that they’re observing
What are the two MAIN types of observations?
-Naturalistic observations
-Controlled observations
Where do naturalistic observations take place?
In the participants natural environment e.g. children in a playground
Where do controlled observations take place?
In some form of controlled environment which allows control over variables
What real life example do we use for controlled research?
Ainsworth (1970) - Observed children under laboratory conditions, with controlled environment
What real life example do we use for naturalistic research?
Robertson and Robertson (1952) - Investigating the effects of short-term separation in children in their natural environment
What is the strength and weakness of naturalistic observations?
😁They have high ecological validity (external validity)
😫They lack control
What is the strength and weakness of controlled observations?
😀They have high internal validity
😫They have low external validity
Why do covert observations take place?
Because if people are aware that they are being studied they are likely to change their behaviour to match the aim
What ethical issues surround covert observations?
-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
What is the strength and weakness of covert observations?
😀It has less demand characteristics
😫It involves ethical issues
What is the strength and weakness of overt observations?
😀It lacks ethical issues
😫It can suffer from demand characteristics
Why do participant observations take place?
So that the researcher can gain a better insight into behaviour, such as what they are doing if integrated and trusted.
What are non-participant observations?
Where the researcher remains separate from those they are studying, records behaviour in a more objective manner
Why are non-participant observations used sometimes?
It can be impractical, inappropriate or even impossible for the researcher to join some groups e.g. dangerous groups, children
What is a strength and weakness of participant observations?
😀It has high internal validity
😫It lacks objectivity
What is a strength and weakness of non-participant observations?
😀It is more objective
😫It lacks internal validity
What is an unstructured observation?
A way of collecting data where the researcher uses direct observation to record behaviours as they occur. Writing down everything with no plan.
What is a structured observation?
The data is collected using pre-determined lists of behaviours and sampling methods, such as a grid or coding sheet to record frequency.
What is an advantage of structured observations over unstructured observations?
It eliminates researcher bias
What are behavioural categories?
Precisely defined, specific and measurable categories of behaviour that allow behaviour to be observed and measured.
What behavioural category would the behaviour of slapping come under?
Aggression
What is the strength and weakness of structured observations?
😀They produce quantitative data
😫They may lose the richness of detail
What is the strength and weakness of unstructured observations?
😀They tend to produce qualitative data
😫There may be a greater risk of observer bias
What are two sampling methods?
-Event sampling
-Time sampling
What is event sampling?
Counting the number of times a particular behaviour occurs in an individual or group
What is time sampling?
Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame.
What is the strength and weakness of event sampling?
😀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
What is the strength and weakness of time sampling?
😀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
