Research Methods: Observations - KU/KB Flashcards
“The conditions are manipulated by the researcher”
What type of observation is this?
Controlled observation
What type of observation she carry out?
Controlled observation
Define controlled observation
An observation whereby the conditions are manipulated by the researcher, this observation is carried out in a lab type situation
Mary Ainsworth carried out a naturalistic observation.
TRUE/FALSE?
FALSE - it was a controlled observation
Why are controlled observations praised for high reliability?
The environment is controlled and standardised - therefore the observations can be easily repeated to check for consist 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
Explain why controlled observations lack ecological validity?
This observation method takes place in an artificial setting which doesn’t reflect real life and therefore the findings cannot be generalised beyond the setting of the observation - lowering the external validity
When can you use demand characteristics as an evaluation point?
Only if the PPTs are over the age of 10 years old
If the PPTs were over the age of 10 - why might a controlled observation be prone to demand characteristics?
As the PPTs are more likely to know they are being watched therefore they are likely to change their natural behaviour and may help or hinder the research based on clues given
Over what age might the PPTs show demand characteristics in a controlled observation?
If they are over the age of 10
A researcher wanted to measure children’s helping behaviour. They set up a play area environment where an adult would enter with a pile of books. The adult would ‘accidentally’ drop the books. They observed this using a two way mirror and controlled when the adult would drop the books and how long the adult would wait before beginning to pick up the books themselves.
What type of observation method is this?
Controlled observation
In what observation method is there no manipulation of the variables?
Naturalistic observations
Define a naturalistic observation (2m)
Watching the natural behaviour for PPTs where the target behaviour would normally occur - there is no manipulation of the variables
Researcher wanted to investigate whether being in daycare made children more aggressive. He observed the children in the play area three times a week
What type of observation method is this?
Naturalistic observation
Why does a naturalistic observation NOT suffer from demand characteristics with PPTs that are over the age of 10?
PPTs are less likely to know they are being watched therefore unlikely to change their natural behaviour, and are less likely to help or hinder the researcher - increasing the internal validity
Why does a naturalistic observation have high internal validity?
PPTs are less likely to know they are being watched therefore unlikely to change their natural behaviour, and are less likely to help or hinder the researcher
Which observation method has higher internal validity: controlled/naturalistic?
Controlled observation
Why has a naturalistic observations been praised for high external validity?
As the observation takes place in a natural setting therefore findings can be generalised to other similar settings increasing the external validity
Which observation method has high ecological validity?
Naturalistic observation