Research Methods- Observations, Questionnaires and Interviews

Question 1

What is a participant observation?

Answer 1

When the researcher participates in the activity under study

Question 2

What is an advantage of a participant observation?

Answer 2

Researcher develops a relationship with the group so they can gain a greater understanding

Question 3

What are two disadvantages of a participant observation?

Answer 3

Researcher loses objectivity and participants may act differently amongst a researcher

Question 4

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 4

When the researcher observes the activity without getting involved in it

Question 5

What is an advantage of a non-participant observation?

Answer 5

Researcher can remain objective

Question 6

What is a disadvantage of a non-participant observation?

Answer 6

Researcher loses a sense of group dynamics

Question 7

What is a structured observation?

Answer 7

Where the behaviour categories used are defined in advance

Question 8

What is an advantage of a structured observation?

Answer 8

Easier to gather relevant data

Question 9

What is a disadvantage of a structured observation?

Answer 9

Interesting behaviours could go unrecorded

Question 10

What is an overt observation?

Answer 10

Where the researcher’s presence is obvious to participants

Question 11

What is an advantage of an overt observation?

Answer 11

More ethically sound than other methods

Question 12

What is a disadvantage of an overt observation?

Answer 12

Demand characteristics

Question 13

What is a covert observation?

Answer 13

Where the researcher’s presence is unknown to participants

Question 14

What is an advantage of a covert observation?

Answer 14

Participants more likely to behave naturally

Question 15

What is a disadvantage of a covert observation?

Answer 15

Ethical issues

Question 16

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 16

Takes place in a lab so that conditions can be controlled

Question 17

What are two advantages of a controlled observation?

Answer 17

Study is highly controlled so easy to replicate and easy for cause and effect to be established

Question 18

What are two disadvantages of a controlled observation?

Answer 18

Low ecological validity and demand characteristics

Question 19

What is event sampling?

Answer 19

Record particular events

Question 20

What is time sampling?

Answer 20

Observe for only set time intervals

Question 21

What are the 5 things you need to consider when designing a questionnaire?

Answer 21

1. Type of data
2. Ambiguity
3. Double-barrelled questions
4. Leading questions
5. Complexity

Question 22

What are the three things to consider in interviews?

Answer 22

1. How structured it will be
2. Question checklist
3. Behaviour of interviewer