Research methods (non- experiments)

Question 1

Define a overt observation (2 marks)

Answer 1

ppts aware of observer behaviour (CONTEXT) is being watched so will be aware of the purpose of the research

AO3 -
S) more ethically appropriate as they know
W) prone to demand characteristics, know they are being watched

Question 2

Define a covert observation (2 marks)

Answer 2

conducted without knowledge of awareness of the ppt, done by observer being hidden use of secret camera

AO3-
S) less prone to demand characteristics (contextualise how you know the research is covert)
L) ppts unaware they are being studied (contextualise how you know the research is covert)

Question 3

Define behaviour categories with an example

Answer 3

• being specific with what you are observing to make the behaviour more measurable
• measuring aggressive behaviour - kicking, punching, swearing

Question 4

define event sampling

Answer 4

• observer decides on specific events, events recorded every time they happen within a set period of time
• tally every swear word in a full 90 mins

Question 5

define time sampling

Answer 5

• tallying behaviour in a set time interval
• eg: every 2 mins

Question 6

Define reliability

Answer 6

ability to repeat a study in similar conditions to gain consistent results

Question 7

explain inter-observer reliability (2-4 marks)

Answer 7

1) can be checked by using 2 observers
2) both trained to create and use behaviour categories
3) both conduct separately- watch same behaviour for same time independently record their observations
4) tallies compared+correlated from both using stats test
5) strong positive correlation of 0.8+ shows high reliability

Question 8

What is involved in a self report

Answer 8

1) ppts give info to the researcher to provide details on thoughts/feelings/behaviour
2) involves ppts responding in a questionnaire or interview
3) can be open Q or closed Q, can be structured or unstructured

Question 9

what’s a controlled observation (ao1 + ao3)

Answer 9

-conditions r manipulated by researcher
-may be carried out in a laboratory situation(context)

S) high in reliability as standardised procedures,eaisly repeated, gains more respect from other professionals and members of public

L)low in eco val as takes places in artificial.hard to generalise

Question 10

define a naturalistic observation

Answer 10

-watching natural behaviour in a natural environment for ppt where target behaviour would occur
-no manipulation of variables

S)-high eco val
L)-low in reliability

Question 11

define a ppt observation

Answer 11

researcher is involved w group
data collected from being within the group

S)-in depth understanding as part of group
L)-inc chance of researcher bias

Question 12

define a non ppt observation

Answer 12

researcher not involved w group
data usually collected from distance like a camera

S)-less likely of getting in-depth understanding
L)-less chance of researcher bias

Question 13

face validity

Answer 13

-the quickest most superficial way of assessing validity.
-involves independent psychologist of same field seeing if behaviour categories looks like it measure what it claims to measure at first values.
-if yes then observation is valid

Question 14

concurrent validity

Answer 14

a way of assessing validity by comparing results of a new observation with results from another similar per existing observation.
compare results mass by using stats tests
a score of +0.8 shows validity