Self-report Techniques

Question 1

What are the 4 different types of observations?

Answer 1

Covert & Overt
Participant & Non-participant
Structured & Unstructured
Controlled & Naturalistic

Question 2

What is a covert observation? Give an example

Answer 2

When people are are unaware of their behaviours being watched or recorded.
E.G. (using a one-way mirror) & (joining a group as a participant)

Question 3

What are the strengths of covert observation?

Answer 3

= Less investigator effects =
as they are hidden - less demand characteristics - won’t try to guess the aim since they’re unaware of being observed - increases internal validity.

Question 4

What are the weaknesses of covert observation?

Answer 4

= Ethical issues =
ppl not aware of investigation - no informed consent / right to withdraw given.

Question 5

What is an overt observation? Give an example.

Answer 5

When people are aware of their behaviours being recorded.
E.G. (filming publicly) & (informing ppl about observation)

Question 5

What are the strengths of an overt observation?

Answer 5

= More ethical =
ppl aware - can give informed consent / right to withdraw

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of an overt observation?

Answer 6

= Investigator Effects =
researcher bias - influence ppls behaviours - demand characteristics as they guess the aim of the study - decreases internal validity.

Question 7

What is a participant observation? Give an example.

Answer 7

Where the researcher takes part in the activity/investigation.
E.G. (group member observes quietly + records behaviour as people are aware)

Question 8

What are the strengths of participant observations?

Answer 8

= Unique insight =
In depth data / detailed obtained as researcher is participating - unlikely to miss any extra details - close proximity - gain unique insight, better understanding of human behaviour.

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of participant observations?

Answer 9

= Investigator effects =
presence of researcher may influence behaviour - demand characteristics - unnatural - decreases internal validity.

Question 10

What is a non-participant observation? Give an example.

Answer 10

When the researcher doesn’t take part in the activity / investigation.
E.G. (observer sits in a corner and observes

Question 11

What are the strength of non-participant observation?

Answer 11

= Less investigator effects =
Researcher is far away or invisible - no demand characteristics as they cannot influence their behaviour - ppls behaviours are more representative / natural - increases ecological validity.

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of non-participant observation?

Answer 12

= Less Insight =
Far distance away from ppl - observers may miss extra details - gain less insight - less understanding of human behaviour.

Question 13

What is a controlled observation? Give an example.

Answer 13

Conducted under strict conditions (lab setting) where EVs such as noise, temp & distractions can be controlled to avoid interference with behaviour.
E.G. (using a one-way mirror)

Question 14

What are the strengths of a controlled observation?

Answer 14

= Reliable =
Can be replicated to check reliability - variables highly controlled - standardised procedures made - can be reproduced by other researchers.

Question 15

What are the weaknesses of a controlled observation?

Answer 15

= Low external validity =
Behaviour may alter in an artificial environment + become unnatural - doesn’t represent real life occurrences - may lower ecological validity.

Question 16

What is a naturalistic observation? Give an example.

Answer 16

Conducted in an unaltered / natural setting where observer doesn’t interfere and only observes behaviour.
E.G. (observing in a shopping centre)

Question 17

What are the strengths of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 17

= High ecological validity =
Records naturally occurring behaviour in an original environment - behaviour more representative of everyday life.

Question 18

What are the weaknesses of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 18

= Reliability issues =
Difficult for exact same conditions to be replicated in natural environment - also researcher is not in control of variables - lacks replicability.

Question 19

What is a structured observation? Give an example.

Answer 19

Using coded ‘schedules’ to record behaviour and organise data into behavioural categories.
E.G. (aggression is turned into parts that can be measured - hitting or kicking)

Question 20

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 20

Deciding which specific actions should be examined to represent a particular behaviour by breaking the target behaviour.

Question 21

What are the strengths of a structured observation?

Answer 21

= Comparable =
Can compare between ppl & groups - operationalised behavioural categories makes data more systematic.

= Reliable =
When there’s more observers, standardised behaviour schedule results in greater inter-observer reliability.

Question 22

What are the weaknesses of structured observation?

Answer 22

= Low internal validity =
Researcher may miss crucial behaviours during observation - findings may lack small details - won’t provide full picture about behaviour.

Question 23

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 23

Observations involving every instance of observed behaviour and is described in as much detail as possible.
Useful if behaviour doesn’t occur often and is more usual with naturalistic observation.

Question 24

What are the strengths of an unstructured observation?

Answer 24

= Richness of data =
Richness of data obtained = behaviour recorded in great detail - better understanding of human behaviour - increases internal validity.

Question 25

What are the weaknesses of an unstructured observation?

Answer 25

= Observer bias =
May have observer bias - may only record behaviour valuable to them - not valid representation of behaviour - causes problems with inter-observer reliability bc lack of consistency in observations recorded.

Question 26

What is a strength of using questionnaires compared to interviews?

Answer 26

Easier to collect data - can be distributed quickly at the same time.

Question 27

What is a strength of using interviews compared to questionnaires?

Answer 27

If the participant is unsure of the question they can simply ask the interviewer, whereas if they complete a questionnaire they may be unsure what the question is asking and may put an answer that is not correct or reflective of their opinions and thoughts.

Question 28

What is a strength of using interviews compared to questionnaires?

Answer 28

If the participant is unsure of the question they can simply ask the interviewer, whereas if they complete a questionnaire they may be unsure what the question is asking and may put an answer that is not correct or reflective of their opinions and thoughts.

The interviewer can also make sure that pps answer all the questions, and can ask follow-up questions to acquire more detail.

Question 29

Which 3 factors should be avoided in the wording of questionnaires & interviews?

Answer 29

Jargon
Double-negative
Double-barrelled

Question 30

What are ways to avoid investigator effects in an observation?

Answer 30

Check inter-rater reliability.
Have more observers.
Do a blind-trial.
Film observation and get it checked by someone else.

Question 31

What is a blind-trial experiment?

Answer 31

Getting someone to carry out the observation without them knowing the aim of the investigation.
Reduces chance of them influencing participants.

Question 32

What is time sampling?

Answer 32

Recording a specific action that relates to a behaviour in a specific time interval.

Question 33

What is event sampling?

Answer 33

Recording a specific action that relates to a behaviour every time it happens