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Psychology
Research methods
Observational research
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Created by
Maria Peskett
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Cards (21)
A research method is just an
observation
with a
research question
- no
manipulation
of an iv
Data collection technique
has a clear
manipulated
iv and
hypothesis
Naturalistic observations
are studied in a
natural seeing
and is normally
non participant
and
overt
Structured observations are normally in a lab like a
controlled enviroment
with situations set up
Participant observations
- is when the observer becomes part of a group
Non participant observations
are where the observer is not involved in the action
Covert
is when the participants do not know they are being
observed
Overt
is when participants do know they are being
observed
Collecting quantitive data using
categorised recording systems
Collecting
qualitative
data using
descriptive note taking
Naturalistic strengths
High
ecological validity
(
generalised well
)
High validity as people are in their
natural environment
Naturalistic weaknesses
People may become
aware
they are being studied and
change
their behaviour accordingly. Threatens
validity
Hard to
replicate
so low
reliability
Lack of
control
over
extraneous variables
Lots of serious
ethical breaches
yet its generally acceptable to observe people in a
natural environment
Strengths of
structured observations
Allows more control over the environment (
standardised
) so better
replication
-
high reliability
Weaknesses of structured observations
Low ecological validity
as it is
artificial
-
less natural behaviour
so
low validity
Participant observation strengths
More
meaningful
and
rich
data
High
ecological value
Participant observation weaknesses
Difficult to
record
when involved
Prone
to
bias
as its all about recall
Getting involved leads to
subjectivity
so
low validity
Ethical issues raised
-
deception
Non participant observation strengths
High
objectivity
as they are not involved
Better
validity
due to better recording
Non participant observations weaknesses
Little understanding
lower validity
Ethical issues
questioned like
invasion of privacy
Continuous observation
is where the observer records everything including targeting behaviour
Time sampling
is recording for
set times
and
breaks
Event sampling
is recording certain behaviour every time it occurs within the
observation period