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
Explain why naturalistic observations have been criticised for low reliability?
PPTs are observed in their natural environment therefore very difficult to replicate the observation and obtain consistent results
Why is it difficult to obtain consistent results in a naturalistic observation?
You are observing PPTs in their natural environment and therefore difficult to replicate the observation in the exact same conditions to obtain consistent results
Why might naturalistic observations be unethical?
Lack if informed consent as people might not be aware they are being observed due to being observed in their natural setting and therefore not giving their consent to take part
Which observation method is the most unethical?
Naturalistic observations
Why has naturalistic observations been criticised for lack of informed consent?
People might not be aware they are being observed due to being observed in their natural setting and therefore not given their consent to take part
Define overt observation (2m)
Participants are aware of their behaviour is being observed, so will be aware of the purpose of the research (1m)
What do you need for the second mark?
Observer is clearly visible to the PPT (2m)
What observation is it when the observer is clearly visible to the PPT?
Overt observation
Why is overt observation the most ethical?
PPTs know they are being observed so they can give consent for their data to be used
Which observation method is the most ethical: Overt/Covert?
Overt observation
Why is overt observation more ethical than covert?
PPTs know they are being observed so PPTs can give their consent for their data to be used
Why is overt observation prone to demand characteristics only if the PPT is over the age of 10?
PPTs are more likely to know they are being watched therefore change their natural behaviour and help or hinder the research based on clues given off by the observer
Why may overt observations have low internal validity?
If the PPTs are over the age of 10 they might know they are being watched and therefore change their natural behaviour, help or hinder the research based on clues - lowering the internal validity
Researcher wanted to investigate whether being in daycare made children more aggressive. He recorded the children in the play area three times a week using hidden CCTV cameras
What observation is this an example of?
Covert observation
Define covert observation
Observations that are conducted without the awareness of the PPTs and can be done through an observer being hidden
Give an example of how you might carry out a covert observation
Secret cameras or from behind a 2 way mirror
Why is the Strange Situation an example of a covert observation?
It was carried out using a 2 way mirror
Why may a covert observation be less likely to suffer from demand characteristics?
PPTs know they are being watched therefore they are unlikely to change their natural behaviour, and are less likely to help or hinder the research increasing the internal validity
What is a disadvantage of covert observation?
Raises ethical issues as PPTs are unaware they are being watched therefore they have not given their informed consent and invasion of privacy would be a problem
Why are covert observations unethical?
PPTs are unaware they are being observed, raising ethical issues such as lack of informed consent and invasion of privacy that would need to be resolved
What is meant by a participant observation?
The researcher is involved with the group, data collected whilst being part of a group
What type of observation method is where the researcher is involved with the group?
Participant observation
Name 1 strength of participant observation
Observer can gain an in-depth understanding of the groups behaviour
Why are you able to gain an in-depth understanding of the groups behaviour with participant observation?
As the observer is part of the group, they will not miss out important aspects of the research
Why does a participant observation have high internal validity?
As the observer is part of the group, they will not miss out important aspects of the research e.g. feelings and motivations, therefore increasing the internal validity of the observation
Identify a disadvantage of participant observation
Risk of researcher bias
Why might participant observation have researcher bias?
As the observer is part of the group - it decreases the objectivity of the observation as the researcher’s own thoughts and behaviours might impact the observation and lower the internal validity
Why may participant observation have low internal validity?
As the observer is part of the group - it decreases the objectivity of the observation as the researcher’s own thoughts and behaviours might impact the observation and lower the internal validity
What is meant by a non-participant observation?
An observation where the researcher is not involved with the group, data is collected from a distance
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?
There is reduced researcher bias as the observer is not part of the group - increasing the objectivity of the observation as the researchers own thoughts are less likely to impact the observation
Why might it be difficult to gain in-depth understanding of a groups behaviour in a non-participant observation?
The researcher is not involved with the group and the data is collected from a distance so they may miss important aspects e.g. feelings and motivations
Why does non-participant observation have low internal validity?
The researcher is not involved with the group and the data is collected from a distance so they may miss important aspects e.g. feelings and motivations - lowering the internal validity of the observation
