research methods- observational techniques Flashcards
what is an observation?
-a way of seeing or listening to what people do without having to ask them
-often used within experiment as a way of assessing the DV
evaluation of observations
+ capture what people do
- risk of observer bias
ao3 of observation: capture what people do
-people often act differently from how they say they will in self-report techniques
-observations useful as they give insight into spontaneous behaviour
ao3 of observation: risk of observer bias
-researcher’s interpretation of the situation may be affected by expectations
-bias can be reduced using more than one observer
what’s a naturalistic observation?
takes place where the target behaviour would normally occur
evaluation of naturalistic observation
+high external validity
-low control
ao3 of naturalistic observations: high external validity
-in natural context behaviour is likely to be more spontaneous
-more generalisable to everyday life
ao3 of naturalistic observations: low validity
-there may be uncontrolled CVs/EVs
-make it more difficult to detect patterns
what are controlled observations?
some control/ manipulation of variables including control of CVs/EVs
evaluation of controlled observations
+can be replicated
-may have low external validity
ao3 of controlled observations: can be replicated
-more easily repeated due to standardised procedures
-findings can be checked to see if they occur again
ao3 of controlled observations: may have low external validity
-behaviour may be contrived due to setting
-findings cannot be applied to everyday experience
what are covert observations?
p’s aren’t aware they’re being studied
ao3 of covert observations: demand characteristics reduced
-p’s don’t know they’re being watched so behaviour more natural
-increases the internal validity of there findings
ao3 of covert observations: ethically questionable
-people may not want behaviour recorded, even in public
-p’s right to privacy may be affected
what are overt observations?
p’s are aware of being studied
evaluation of overt observations
+more ethically acceptable
-demand characteristics
ao3 of overt observations: more ethically acceptable
-p’s have given their consent to be studied
-they have the right to withdraw if they wish
ao3 of overt observations:
-knowledge of being studied influences behaviour
-reduces the internal validity of the findings
what are participation observation?
researcher becomes part of there group they’re studying
evaluation of participant observation
+can lead to greater insight
-possible loss of objectivity
ao3 of participant observations: can lead to greater insight
-researcher experiences the situation as the participants do
-enhances the external validity of the findings
ao3 of participant observations: possible loss of objectivity
-researcher may identify strongly with those they are studying (‘going native’)
-threatens objectivity and internal validity of the findings
what are non-participant observations?
researcher remains separate from the group they are studying
evaluation of non-participant observations
+more objective
-loss of insight
ao3 of non-participant observations: more objective
-researcher maintains an objective distance so less chance of bias
-may increase validity of the findings
ao3 of non-participant observations: loss of insight
-researcher may be too far removed from those they are studying
-may reduce the external validity of the findings
