Observation Method

• What is an Observation?


  The systematic measurement of spontaneously occurring behaviour
• What can Observations being conducted in?


  Controlled environment (e.g. Lab)

  Naturalistic environment (e.g. playground park etc)
• How can Observations be recorded?


  Structured - Using pre-set collection grids to record observations made

  Unstructured - Record behaviour as it occurs, no pre-set grid to record
• 8 types of Observations:


  1. Naturalistic and Controlled (Where the Ob happens)
  2. Structured and Unstructured (How the Ob data is collected)
  3. Participant and Non-participant (Observer takes part or not)
  4. Covert and Overt (Observer is openly or secretly recording behaviour)
• 2 ways of behaviour sampling:


  Time and Event
• What is a Naturalistic observation?


  It takes place in the P's most natural environment; makes behaviour more realistic and makes the research more ecologically valid
• What is a Controlled observation?


  Usually takes place in some form of controlled environment which allows control over variables
• What is a Non-Participant observation?


  The psychologist does not participate within the group and simply observes
• What is a Participant observation?


  Psychologist feels the need to join in the behaviour of a group so that we can feel what its like to be in their shoes
• What is a Covert observation?


  Researcher does not tell group they are being studied.

  In participant observation, this would involve taking on a role within the group.
• What is an Overt observation?


  Where groups / participants know they are being studied and that an observation is taking place
• What is Time sampling?


  When the observer records behaviour at regular time intervals
• What happens in Time sampling?


  A target person is chosen then the researcher watches them for a fixed amount of time, and records their behaviour. After this time they wait a feed interval and then either watch them again, or watch a new target person
• What is Event sampling?


  When an observer decides in advance the behaviours they are interested in observing, develops a coding system and then records every time that particular behaviour or event occurs during the whole duration of the observation
• What happens in Event sampling?


  A target behaviour (event) is chosen and then the researcher counts every time this behaviour/event occurs

  behaviour is recorded continuously throughout the whole duration of the study e.g. 2 hours
• What is Inter-Rater reliablity?

  Only needed when an observation involves more than one observer.

  Vital that the observers are recording their observations of the same behaviour in the same way.