Observational techniques

    Cards (31)

    • What are the types of observations in research?
      • Naturalistic observation
      • Controlled observation
      • Structured observation
      • Unstructured observation
      • Covert observation
      • Overt observation
      • Participant observation
      • Non-participant observation
      • Time sampling
      • Event sampling
    • What is a controlled observation?
      Behavior is studied in a purposely created structured environment
    • What is a strength of controlled observations?
      Easy to replicate.
      This is because they're easy to do again in the exact same way as its in a controlled environment where situational extraneous variables are controlled.
      This is a strength because the reliability of the results can be checked.
    • What is a limitation of controlled observations?
      Lower ecological validity.
      This is because the behaviour being observed is done in an artificial environment.
      This is limitation because we may not be able to generalise the results to other similar settings.
    • What is a structured observation?
      Observer pre-determines operationalised behaviours to be observed, creates a behavioural checklist, and records the frequency of these behaviours - likely to produce quantitative data
    • What is a strength of a structured observation?
      As data is quantitative it is easier to analyse, compare and is more objective than qualitative data.
    • What is a drawback of structured observation data?
      Lacks detailed insight into behavior of interest
    • What is a covert observation?
      Participants are unaware that they're in an observation.
      AKA undisclosed observation.
    • What is a strength of covert observations?
      No participant reactivity affects behavior.
      This is because participants are unaware they're being observed and so won't change their behaviour.
      This is a strength because participants should show more natural behaviour, increasing the internal validity of the results.
    • What is a limitation of covert observations?
      Ethical issues due.
      This is because participants haven't been told they're being observed and therefore have been deceived and not able to give full informed consent.
      This is a limitation because participants must be fully informed about the nature of the study they are in and not be lied to.
    • What is participant observation?
      Observer actively takes part in the situation thats being observed
    • What is a strength of participant observation?
      Provides in-depth insight into behavior of interest.
      This is because the researcher can experience the situation as the participants do, increasing the knowledge of the lives of the people being studied.
      This is strength because it may increase the internal validity of the findings.
    • What is a limitation of participant observation?
      Loss of objectivity.
      This is because the researcher may identify too strongly with those they are studying, this may result in their opinion influencing their observations.
      This is a limitation as it will reduce the internal validity.
    • What is event sampling?
      Target behaviour is pre-determined and recorded every time it occurs for the duration of the observation
    • What is a strength of event sampling?
      All important behaviors will be recorded
    • What is a limitation of event sampling?
      Harder and less practical to carry out
    • What is overt observation?
      Participants are aware they are being observed.
      AKA disclosed obervation
    • What is a strength of overt observations?
      Fewer ethical issues.
      This is because participants have been told they're being observed and therefore have not been deceived and able to give full informed consent.
      This is a strength because participants have been fully informed about the nature of the study they are in and haven't been lied to
    • What is a limitation of overt observations?
      Participant reactivity.
      This is because participants are aware they are being observed and so may change their behaviour.
      This is a limitation because participants may not show natural behaviour, decreasing the internal validity of the results.
    • What is naturalistic observation?
      Behavior studied in the setting the individual would usually display it in.
    • What is a strength of naturalistic observations?
      High ecological validity.
      This is because the behaviour being observed is done within an environment that it would normally occur in.
      This is strength because its easier to generalise the results to other similar settings.
    • What is a limitation of naturalistic observations?
      Difficult to replicate.
      This is because its hard to do again in the exact same way as it takes place in the natural environment; lack of control over the situational extraneous variables.
      This is a limitation because the reliability of the results is hard to check.
    • What is non-participant observation?
      Observer does not take part in the situation they're observing
    • What is a strength of non-participant observation?
      More objective.
      This is because the researcher is less likely to identify strongly with those they are studying, their opinion is less likely to influence their observations.
      This is a strength as it will increase the internal validity.
    • What is a limitation of non-participant observation?
      Less in-depth insight into participant behavior.
      This is because the researcher doesn't experience the situation as the participants do, decreasing their knowledge of the lives of the people being studied.
      This is limitation because it may decrease the internal validity of the findings.
    • What is unstructured observation?
      Observer will record all behaviours they believe to be important in a continual narrative - likely to produce qualitative data.
    • What is a strength of unstructured observation?
      Data collected provides a rich, in-depth, insight into the behaviour of interest.
    • What is a drawback of qualitative data from unstructured observations?
      More difficult to analyze and compare.
      Less objective
    • What is time sampling?
      A fixed time frame is established to record behaviour.
      Any behaviour that occurs outside of the time frame is ignored.
    • What is a strength of time sampling?
      Easier and more practical for researchers
    • What is a limitation of time sampling?
      Important behaviors may be missed if they occur outside the frame