Research Methods: Observations Flashcards
What type of observation involves manipulated conditions by the researcher?
Controlled observation
What type of observation should she carry out?
Controlled observation
Define controlled observation.
An observation where the conditions are manipulated by the researcher, conducted in a lab setting.
Did Mary Ainsworth carry out a naturalistic observation?
FALSE - it was a controlled observation.
Why are controlled observations praised for high reliability?
The environment is controlled and standardized, so the observations can be repeated for consistent results.
What does reliability mean?
When you can repeat a study and check for consistency in results.
Which observation is the most reliable?
Controlled observation
Why do controlled observations lack ecological validity?
The observation takes place in an artificial setting that doesn’t reflect real life, reducing generalizability and lowering external validity.
When can you use demand characteristics as an evaluation point?
Only if the participants are over the age of 10.
Why might a controlled observation be prone to demand characteristics if participants are over 10?
Older participants might realize they are being watched and may alter their behavior, potentially helping or hindering the research.
Over what age might participants show demand characteristics in a controlled observation?
If they are over the age of 10.
What type of observation method is used when a researcher observes children in a play area with a two-way mirror?
Controlled observation
In what observation method is there no manipulation of the variables?
Naturalistic observations
Define a naturalistic observation.
Watching natural behavior where the target behavior would normally occur, with no manipulation of variables.
What type of observation method is used when a researcher observes children in a daycare?
Naturalistic observation
Why does a naturalistic observation NOT suffer from demand characteristics with participants over 10?
Participants are less likely to know they are being watched and are unlikely to change their natural behavior, increasing internal validity.
Why does a naturalistic observation have high internal validity?
Participants are less likely to change their natural behavior, thus maintaining internal validity.
Which observation method has higher internal validity: controlled or naturalistic?
Controlled observation
Why has a naturalistic observation been praised for high external validity?
Observations take place in a natural setting, making the findings more generalizable to other similar settings.
Which observation method has high ecological validity?
Naturalistic observation
Why have naturalistic observations been criticized for low reliability?
It’s difficult to replicate observations in a natural environment, making it hard to obtain consistent results.
Why is it difficult to obtain consistent results in a naturalistic observation?
Observing participants in their natural environment makes it hard to replicate the observation under the same conditions.
Why might naturalistic observations be unethical?
Lack of informed consent, as participants might not know they are being observed in a natural setting.
Which observation method is the most unethical?
Naturalistic observations
Why has naturalistic observation been criticized for lack of informed consent?
Participants may not know they are being observed, meaning they haven’t given consent.
Define overt observation.
Participants are aware they are being observed, so they know the purpose of the research.
What observation is it when the observer is clearly visible to the participants?
Overt observation
Why is overt observation the most ethical?
Participants are aware they are being observed and can give consent for their data to be used.
Which observation method is the most ethical: Overt or Covert?
Overt observation
Why is overt observation more ethical than covert?
Participants are aware they are being observed and can give consent for their data to be used.
Why is overt observation prone to demand characteristics only if participants are over 10?
Participants may realize they are being watched, which can alter their natural behavior.
Why may overt observations have low internal validity?
Participants might change their natural behavior if they know they are being watched, lowering internal validity.
What observation is it when a researcher records children using hidden CCTV cameras?
Covert observation
Define covert observation.
Observations conducted without the participants’ knowledge, often using hidden observers.
Give an example of how you might carry out a covert observation.
Using secret cameras or a two-way mirror.
Why is the Strange Situation an example of a covert observation?
It was carried out using a two-way mirror.
Why may a covert observation be less likely to suffer from demand characteristics?
Participants are unaware they are being observed, so they are less likely to alter their natural behavior.
What is a disadvantage of covert observation?
It raises ethical issues as participants are unaware they are being observed, resulting in a lack of informed consent and potential invasion of privacy.
Why are covert observations unethical?
Participants are unaware they are being observed, raising ethical issues like lack of informed consent and invasion of privacy.
What is meant by a participant observation?
The researcher becomes involved with the group being studied, collecting data while being part of the group.
What type of observation method involves the researcher being part of the group?
Participant observation
Name 1 strength of participant observation.
The observer can gain an in-depth understanding of the group’s behavior.
Why are you able to gain an in-depth understanding of the group’s behavior in a participant observation?
As the observer is part of the group, they can gain insight into feelings and motivations that would otherwise be missed.
Why does a participant observation have high internal validity?
The researcher’s involvement ensures that they do not miss important aspects of behavior, increasing internal validity.
Identify a disadvantage of participant observation.
Risk of researcher bias.
Why might participant observation have researcher bias?
The researcher is part of the group, which can decrease objectivity and impact the observations.
Why may participant observation have low internal validity?
Researcher bias can influence the findings, lowering the objectivity and internal validity.
What is meant by a non-participant observation?
The researcher observes the group from a distance without being involved with them.
In what type of observation method is the researcher not involved with the group?
Non-participant observation
Why does a non-participant observation have high internal validity?
The researcher’s lack of involvement reduces bias and increases objectivity in the observations.
Why might it be difficult to gain an in-depth understanding of a group’s behavior in a non-participant observation?
The researcher is not involved with the group, so they may miss important aspects like feelings and motivations.
Why does non-participant observation have low internal validity?
The researcher’s distance from the group means they might miss critical details, lowering the internal validity of the findings.
