Research Methods- Observational techniques Flashcards
Naturalistic observation -
Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.
Controlled observation -
Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment, i.e. one where some variables are managed.
Covert observation -
Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.
Overt observation -
Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent.
Participant observation -
The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
Non-participant observation -
The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
What is observation in psychological research?
Observation is a non-experimental method that allows researchers to study behavior directly without relying on self-reports, providing flexibility to study complex interactions in natural or controlled settings.
What are naturalistic observations?
Naturalistic observations take place in the setting where the target behavior normally occurs, with all aspects of the environment free to vary.
What is an example of a naturalistic observation?
Studying interactions between senior management and employees in a factory setting, as it would not make sense to observe this behavior in an artificial lab environment.
What are controlled observations?
Controlled observations involve some control over variables, including manipulating variables and controlling extraneous variables, often conducted in a designed environment.
What is an example of a controlled observation?
Mary Ainsworth’s Strange Situation studies, where children’s reactions to their mothers and strangers were observed in a specially designed playroom.
What is the difference between naturalistic and controlled observations?
Naturalistic observations occur in natural settings with no control over variables, while controlled observations involve some manipulation and control of variables in a structured environment.
What are covert observations?
Covert observations are when participants are unaware they are being observed, and their behavior is recorded secretly, typically in public settings.
What is an advantage of covert observations?
They reduce participant reactivity, ensuring that the behavior observed is natural and increasing the validity of the data.
What are overt observations?
Overt observations are when participants know they are being observed and have given informed consent beforehand.
What is an ethical concern with covert observations?
Participants may not wish to have their behavior recorded, even in public settings, raising issues of privacy and consent.
What is an advantage of overt observations?
They are more ethically acceptable as participants have given informed consent, but they may lead to altered behavior due to awareness of being observed.
What are participant observations?
Participant observations involve the researcher becoming part of the group they are studying to gain firsthand insight into the participants’ experiences.
What are non-participant observations?
Non-participant observations involve the researcher remaining separate from the group being studied, recording behavior objectively from a distance.
What is an example of a participant observation?
A researcher joining a factory workforce to study interactions between management and employees.
What is an example of a non-participant observation?
A middle-aged female researcher observing behavior among Year 10 students at a boys’ school without joining the group.
What is a strength of participant observations?
They provide the researcher with deep insight into the participants’ lives, increasing the validity of the findings.
What is a limitation of participant observations?
The researcher may lose objectivity by identifying too strongly with the group, a phenomenon known as “going native.”
What is a strength of non-participant observations?
The researcher maintains objectivity and psychological distance from participants, reducing the risk of bias.
What is a limitation of non-participant observations?
The researcher may lose valuable insight by being too removed from the participants and their behavior.
What is a strength of naturalistic observations?
They have high external validity, as findings can often be generalized to everyday life due to the natural setting.
What is a limitation of naturalistic observations?
The lack of control over variables makes replication difficult and may introduce extraneous variables that affect behavior.
What is a limitation of controlled observations?
Findings may not be easily applied to real-life settings due to the artificial nature of the controlled environment.
What is a strength of controlled observations?
They allow for easier replication and control of extraneous variables, making it simpler to identify patterns of behavior.
What is participant reactivity?
Participant reactivity occurs when participants alter their behavior because they know they are being observed, reducing the validity of the findings.
What is “going native” in participant observations?
“Going native” refers to the researcher losing objectivity by identifying too strongly with the group they are studying, blurring the line between researcher and participant.
Why might covert observations be considered unethical?
Even in public settings, participants may not consent to having their behavior recorded, raising concerns about privacy and ethical treatment.
How do overt observations address ethical concerns?
Participants give informed consent, ensuring they are aware of and agree to being observed, making the study more ethically acceptable.
What is the main difference between participant and non-participant observations?
In participant observations, the researcher joins the group being studied, while in non-participant observations, the researcher remains separate and observes from a distance.
What is the role of objectivity in non-participant observations?
Objectivity allows the researcher to maintain a psychological distance, reducing bias and ensuring a more accurate recording of behavior.
What is the role of insight in participant observations?
Insight allows the researcher to understand the participants’ experiences more deeply, potentially increasing the validity of the findings.
