Research Methods - Observational Techniques Flashcards
Observations
When a researcher watched or listens to participants engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied
Non participant observation
When researcher doesn’t get directly involved with the interactions of the participants.
E.g. observing participants in the gym and not engaging in exercise
Non participant advantage
- can focus on the activity occurring and make good quality notes
- can make sure all details are recorded and no activity/ behaviours are missed
Non participant disadvantage
- researcher isn’t engaging in the activity = might fail to have a deeper understanding of the observed behaviour = lacks validity
- need to be careful the researcher doesn’t look too out of place so participants don’t guess someone’s watching them
Participant observation
When researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the participants + engages in the activities that the participant is doing
Participant observation advantage
- greater validity because researcher is getting involved in the activity = greater understanding
Participant observation Disadvantage
- researcher might lose objectivity + become too subjective and biased because they’re involved in the activity they’re observing
Covert observation
- Psychologist goes undercover + doesn’t reveal their real identity.
- group doesn’t know they’re being observed
Covert observation advantage
- less demand characteristics than an overt observation
- participants don’t know they’re being observed and are less likely to guess the aim of the study
Covert observation disadvantage
- can break ethical guidelines = participants don’t know they’re being observed + there’s no informed consent and deception might be occurring
Overt observation
- psychologist reveals their true identity + might state that they’re observing the group
- observer effects can occur
Why would observer effect occur and what can it result in?
- participants may change their behaviour when they know they’re being observed which leads to invalid results
Overt observation advantage
- very ethical
- participants know they’re being observed + can give their fully informed consent
Overt observation disadvantage
- less valid = participants know they’re being observed + might guess aim of study + change their behaviour (demand characteristics)
Naturalistic observation
Researcher observes participants in their own natural environment + there’s no deliberate manipulation of the independent variable
Naturalistic observation adv
- participants = unaware they’re being observed (covert observation) = reduced chance of observer effect + more likely to act natural = valid results
- useful when deliberate manipulation of variables is impractical or unethical.
E.g. observing children playing naturally in a playground, might be unethical to tell a child to be aggressive to another
-high mundane realism = behaviour is likely to reflect everyday behaviour - high in ecological validity = results can be generalised to other settings and contexts
Naturalistic observation Disadv
- no control over extraneous variables = other variables might be affecting the dependent variable = invalid
- problematic to try determine the cause of a behaviour esp if there’s a lack of control = cause + effect can’t actually be determined by naturalistic observations
-risk of observer bias =, observer might be subjective + might be biased when interpreting behaviour = incorrect interpretations = unreliable results
Controlled observation
- researcher observes participants in a controlled environment + allows for manipulation of the independent variable
E.g. watching participants behaviour in a lab and recording it while inducing high levels of stress and observing their reactions
Controlled observation adv
- cause and effect can be determined bc experiment is highly controlled IV cause change to DV
- EV can be controlled results = be sure IV has had effect on DV
- qualitative date that is rich and detailed = increases the validity of the study as observation is likely to accurately measure the key variables identified in the aim.
Controlled observation disadv
- low levels of mundane realism + ecological validity because of the high control on the observation = inaccurate reflection of everyday life + can’t be generalised to other settings
- observer effects can occur as participants usually know they’re being observed (overt observation) = social desirability bias + behave unnaturally = invalid
- risk of observer bias = researchers own views + opinions can influence the recording of the data = inaccurate
Observer bias
- if observer knows the purpose of the study they may observe behaviours they think meets their aims + hypothesis
- influences how they record data from study + might be inaccurate + subjective
- observers need to be reliable
How can you prevent observer bias?
- have 2 observers record their data separately
- they can then correlate their observations + data together + if a Kappa score of 0.8 is gained, the data gained is reliable. (Inter-rater reliability)
Behavioural categories
- specific types of behaviour that are being looked for in an observation
Event sampling
- observer decides in advance what types of behaviour they’re interested in + record all occurrences
- other types of behaviour is ignored
Time interval sampling
- observer decides in advance that the observation will take place only during specified time periods + records the occurrence of the specified behaviour during that time period
What is a pilot study?
- a preliminary small scale investigation of procedures to be used in the main study.
- involves selecting a few people + trialing out the study on them
What can a pilot study save and how?
- money and time by identifying any flaws in the procedures or any problems or issues that can be rectified before the main study takes place
Benefit of pilot study
- helps researcher spot any ambiguities or confusion in the information given to participants or problems w the task
How are pilot studies useful?
- establish behavioural categories + check they’re suitable
- iron out practical problems e.g. where observers should stand + where camera should be placed
