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psychology > Research methods - Observations > Flashcards

Research methods - Observations Flashcards

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1
Q

what kind of data does observation produce

A

primary data as the researcher obtains the data themselves

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2
Q

what may you see hypotheses referred to as

A

alternative hypotheses- the must be fully operationalised

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3
Q

define behavioural categories

A

the behaviours that are to be observed and recorded

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4
Q

what must behavioural categories be

A

mutually exclusive, clearly operationalised, objective and observable

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5
Q

where are behavioural categories noted

A

behavioural checklist

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6
Q

define the coding frame

A

a record of the criteria used to classify behaviours. it may include definitions of the codes used

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7
Q

give a weakness of behavioural categories

A

behaviours may be missed as behaviours are complex so not all are written down in the checklist - reduced accuracy

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8
Q

give a strength of behavioural categories

A

produces quantitative data because observers use tallies. This is easier to interpret - easily spot trends and patterns in behaviours

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9
Q

define event sampling

A

a researcher recording an event every time it happens during a specified time frame

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10
Q

define time sampling

A

a researcher observes behaviour at regular interval for a specified amount of time, over a specified period of time.

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11
Q

what are strengths of event sampling

A

it is less likely that behaviour of interest will be missed
useful when behaviours are infrequent

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12
Q

what are weaknesses of event sampling

A

may miss behaviours if too much is happening at once or researcher is fatigued

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13
Q

what are strengths of time sampling

A

reduces time spent of observation - may increase accuracy
provides insight into how much time a participant spends in a particular activity

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14
Q

what are weaknesses of time sampling

A

behaviours may be missed - reducing validity
accuracy is reduced if several participants are observed at the same time

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15
Q

what is a structured observation

A

pre-determined checklists and categories

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16
Q

what is a strength of structured observation

A

quantitative data - comparable and easy to analyse

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17
Q

what is a weakness of structured observation

A

frequencies lack meaning

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18
Q

what is unstructured observation

A

no checklist so every behaviour seen is written down in as much detail as possible

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19
Q

what is a strength of unstructured observation

A

qualitative data - in depth and understanding,

20
Q

what is a weakness of unstructured observation

A

difficult to do - likely to miss behaviour

21
Q

what is controlled observation

A

lab setting, contained

22
Q

what is a strength of controlled observation

A

control over extraneous variables so high internal validity

23
Q

what is a weakness of controlled observation

A

lack of ecological validity

24
Q

what is naturalistic observation

A

real world setting

25
Q

what is a strength of naturalistic observation

A

realistic behaviour - valid

26
Q

what is a weakness of naturalistic observation

A

hard to replicate

27
Q

what is participant observation

A

observer is part of the group they’re observing

28
Q

what is a strength of participant observation

A

in-depth understanding of what is happening - first hand experience and context

29
Q

what is a weakness of participant observation

A

can’t take notes so may have to rely on memory - lower validity and reliability
observer bias

30
Q

what is non-participant observation

A

observer is not part of the group they are observing

31
Q

what is a strength of non-participant observation

A

objective, reliable data

32
Q

what is a weakness of non-participant observation

A

may become aware - Hawthorne effect

33
Q

what is overt observation

A

participant fully aware of observer

34
Q

what is a strength of overt observation

A

consent- ethical

35
Q

what is a weakness of overt observation

A

demand characteristics - ps guesses aims and tries to act/not act accordingly

36
Q

what is covert observation

A

participant not aware of observer

37
Q

what is a strength of covert observation

A

no demand characteristics

38
Q

what is a weakness of covert observation

A

raises ethical concerns - no informed consent

39
Q

when are observations reliable

A

if we gather the same results when the same observation of the same event is made a second time

40
Q

Describe inter observer reliability

A

use more than one observer and compare the ratings of two or more observers, checking for agreement in their measurements (if there is agreement there is reliability)

41
Q

how is agreement between observers calculated

A

using a correlation

42
Q

what could affect inter-observer reliability

A

observer fatigue, poorly operationalised checklists, observer bias, controlled vs naturalistic, training of observer

43
Q

what is validity

A

whether a study measures or examines what it claims to measure or examine

44
Q

why could observations lack validity

A

observer bias, setting

45
Q

Define inter-observer reliability

A

The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way

46
Q

How could validity be improved when conducting observations (5 ways)

A

Use more than one observer
Observer and participants kept unaware of the aims (double blind procedure)
Carry out a pilot study
Have fully operationalised behaviour categories and codes
Ensure all observers are fully trained in the use of behaviour categories/ codes

47
Q

Why does using more than one observer improve validity

A

The data can be averaged across, thereby reducing the impact of any biases

psychology (8 decks)

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