observational methods

    Subdecks (1)

    Cards (34)

    • What is naturalistic observation?
      It involves the researcher observing naturally occurring behaviour.
    • What is a controlled observation?
      It is when the researcher attempts to control certain variables.
    • What are the differences between participant and non-participant observations?
      • Participant observation: Researcher engages with the group being studied.
      • Non-participant observation: Researcher observes without direct involvement.
    • What is the difference between overt and covert observations?
      • overt: Participants are aware they are being observed.
      • covert: Participants are unaware they are being observed.
    • What is the difference between structured and unstructured observations?
      • Structured: Experimenter controls extraneous variables to limit bias.
      • Unstructured: Experimenter has less control over extraneous variables.
    • What are the strengths of naturalistic observations?
      Strengths:
      • Observed in natural conditions, limiting demand characteristics.
      • Applicable to real-life scenarios, increasing ecological validity.
      • Easily generalizable.
    • What are the strengths of controlled observations?
      Strengths:
      • More controlled and accurate observations.
      • Easier to replicate.
      • Avoids ethical problems of consent.
    • What are the strengths of non-participant observations?
      Strengths:
      • Objective and highly reliable.
      • Researcher can observe body language and make judgements.
      • Less likelihood of bias and no ethical issues if participants are aware
    • What are the strengths of participant observations?
      Strengths:
      • Produces rich qualitative data, increasing validity.
      • More flexible and allows for open-mindedness.
      • Authentic data through personal experience
    • What is a strength of overt observations?
      Strengths:
      • No ethical issues as participants give consent.
    • What are the strengths of covert observations?
      Strengths:
      • High reliability and validity.
      • Avoids demand characteristics.
    • What are the strengths of structured observations?
      Strengths:
      • Easier and more systematic data recording.
      • Likely to produce quantitative data for comparison.
      • Smaller risk of observer bias.
    • What is a strength of unstructured observations?
      Strengths:
      • Produces more detailed results
    • What is time sampling in observational research?
      • Observer records behaviors in a given time frame.
      • E.g., noting what a target individual is doing every 15 or 20 seconds.
    • What is event sampling in observational research?
      • A target behavior or event is established.
      • Researcher records this event every time it occurs.
    • What are behavioral categories in observational research?
      • Categories must be decided beforehand.
      • They should be objective, cover possible behaviors, and be mutually exclusive.
    • What is observer bias?
      It occurs when an observer makes their own interpretation of the behavior they observe.
    • What is ethnocentrism in observational research?
      It happens when the researcher makes value judgments about another culture from their own cultural system.
    • What is inter-observer reliability?
      It is the extent to which a data collection tool produces similar data among observers.
    • How can you increase reliability and validity in observational research?
      • Use an observation schedule.
      • Implement a double-blind technique.
      • Provide clear definitions of terms.
      • Conduct a pilot study.
    • what are weaknesses of naturalistic observations?
      Weaknesses:
      • Difficult to control.
      • Ethical considerations.
      • Potential for observer bias.
    • what is a weakness of unstructured observations?
      Weaknesses:
      • Greater risk of observer bias.
      • Produces qualitative data that is harder to analyse.
    • what are weaknesses of structured observations?
      Weaknesses:
      • Results may lack depth and detail.
      • Important behaviours might be overlooked.
    • what are weaknesses of covert observations?
      Weaknesses:
      • Raises ethical concerns due to lack of informed consent.
      • Deception is required.
      • Risk of illegal or dangerous activities.
    • what are weaknesses of overt observations?
      Weaknesses:
      • High risk of observer effect
      • Can increase demand characteristics.
      • Difficult to repeat and not always representative.
    • what are weaknesses of participant observations?
      • covert participation observation raises ethical difficulties
      • very time consuming if done covertly
      • hard to generalise data from small sample sizes
      • risk of getting too involved and giving bias data
    • what are weaknesses of non participant observation?
      • can lead to demand characteristics
      • time consuming
      • costly
      • may be hard to gain accurate results from a distance
    • what are weaknesses of controlled observations?
      Weaknesses:
      • Increased demand characteristics if participants know they are observed.
      • Low ecological validity.