Research Methods:Observations and Ethics

Question 1

What can observational research involve?

4 things

Answer 1

-cameras/CCTV
-one way mirror
-making notes
-behavioural checklists

Question 2

What are the types of observational research?

Answer 2

naturalistic
controlled
covert
overt
participant
non-participant

Question 3

What is the difference between a naturalistic/controlled observation?

Answer 3

natural-carried out in natural settings
controlled-conducted under more controlled circumstances

Question 4

What is the difference between an overt/covert observation?

Answer 4

overt-ppts are aware they are being studied
covert-ppts are not aware they are being studied

Question 5

What is the difference between a ppt/non-ppt observation?

Answer 5

ppt-observer becomes part of the group they are studying
non ppt-observer remains separate from those they are studying

Question 6

Why are behavioural categories used in observational research and what do they allow?

What must these categories do? 2

Answer 6

because it is difficult to observe a continuous stream of behaviour so they allow particular instances of behaviour to be recorded

-cover all possible behaviours
-be clear and precise

Question 7

What are the 2 types of observational sampling , describe each

Answer 7

event-recordings happen as the behaviour occurs
time-recordings take place at specific time intervals

Question 8

Why are pilot studies important in observations?

2

Answer 8

they check the coding system of categories is adequate
they check that ppts can be clearly seen/heard

Question 9

What ethical issues are associated with observations?

Answer 9

informed consent
deception if it is covert
confidentiality
right to withdraw

Question 10

What are the methodological issues with observations?

Answer 10

-can be hard to categorise behaviours
-observer bias
-demand characteristics

Question 11

What do ethics do?

Answer 11

they concern the well being of ppts and the researcher

Question 12

What are the different ethical considerations?
6

Answer 12

informed consent
right to withdraw
deception
respect
confidentiality/privacy
protection from harm

Question 13

Describe informed consent

Answer 13

ppts must be told what they will be doing , how long it will take and the true aims of the study
-under 16s require parental consent

Question 14

Describe deception

What does it mean if ppts are deceived?

Answer 14

not revealing the true aims of the study and misleading ppts

means ppts can not give consent

Question 15

Describe right to withdraw

Answer 15

every ppt should know they can leave the study at any time and withdraw their data at any time

Question 16

Describe protection from harm

2

Answer 16

nothing should happen that makes ppts less happy , embaressed or lowers their self esteem
they should be protected from risks

Question 17

Describe respect

Answer 17

respect individuals and their cultural differences

Question 18

Describe confidentiality/privacy

2

Answer 18

no ppts should be identifiable
peoples names shouldn’t be used and personal space should be respected

Question 19

How do you overcome deception?

Describe this process

3

Answer 19

by debriefing ppts

it is done after research , ppts are told the studies true aims and reminded/told they have the right to withdraw
start by thanking ppts

Question 20

How do you overcome informed consent , privacy and right to withdraw?

Answer 20

by using consent forms

Question 21

What do consent forms include?

7

Answer 21

-aim of study
-reference to all conditions
-how long it will take
-other ethical rights
-statement of agreement with place to date and sign
-chance to ask questions
-written in future tense

Question 22

State and describe the three alternative forms of consent

Answer 22

retrospective-gained after the study
presumptive-ask similar group to ppts if they would take part and assume actual ppts answer from this
prior general-ppts asked if they would take part in research where they might be deceived long before the experiment