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Psychology > Research Methods - Observational Techniques > Flashcards

Research Methods - Observational Techniques Flashcards

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1
Q

Observations

A

When a researcher watched or listens to participants engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied

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2
Q

Non participant observation

A

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

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3
Q

Non participant advantage

A
  • can focus on the activity occurring and make good quality notes
  • can make sure all details are recorded and no activity/ behaviours are missed
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4
Q

Non participant disadvantage

A
  • 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
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5
Q

Participant observation

A

When researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the participants + engages in the activities that the participant is doing

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6
Q

Participant observation advantage

A
  • greater validity because researcher is getting involved in the activity = greater understanding
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7
Q

Participant observation Disadvantage

A
  • researcher might lose objectivity + become too subjective and biased because they’re involved in the activity they’re observing
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8
Q

Covert observation

A
  • Psychologist goes undercover + doesn’t reveal their real identity.
  • group doesn’t know they’re being observed
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9
Q

Covert observation advantage

A
  • 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
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10
Q

Covert observation disadvantage

A
  • can break ethical guidelines = participants don’t know they’re being observed + there’s no informed consent and deception might be occurring
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11
Q

Overt observation

A
  • psychologist reveals their true identity + might state that they’re observing the group
  • observer effects can occur
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12
Q

Why would observer effect occur and what can it result in?

A
  • participants may change their behaviour when they know they’re being observed which leads to invalid results
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13
Q

Overt observation advantage

A
  • very ethical
  • participants know they’re being observed + can give their fully informed consent
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14
Q

Overt observation disadvantage

A
  • less valid = participants know they’re being observed + might guess aim of study + change their behaviour (demand characteristics)
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15
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

Researcher observes participants in their own natural environment + there’s no deliberate manipulation of the independent variable

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16
Q

Naturalistic observation adv

A
  • 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
17
Q

Naturalistic observation Disadv

A
  • 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
18
Q

Controlled observation

A
  • 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
19
Q

Controlled observation adv

A
  • 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.
20
Q

Controlled observation disadv

A
  • 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
21
Q

Observer bias

A
  • 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
22
Q

How can you prevent observer bias?

A
  • 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)
23
Q

Behavioural categories

A
  • specific types of behaviour that are being looked for in an observation
24
Q

Event sampling

A
  • observer decides in advance what types of behaviour they’re interested in + record all occurrences
  • other types of behaviour is ignored
25
Q

Time interval sampling

A
  • 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
26
Q

What is a pilot study?

A
  • 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
27
Q

What can a pilot study save and how?

A
  • 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
28
Q

Benefit of pilot study

A
  • helps researcher spot any ambiguities or confusion in the information given to participants or problems w the task
29
Q

How are pilot studies useful?

A
  • establish behavioural categories + check they’re suitable
  • iron out practical problems e.g. where observers should stand + where camera should be placed

Psychology (27 decks)

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