observation

• What is naturalistic observation?

  Observation in natural settings without manipulation
• In what settings can naturalistic observation occur?

  Natural settings or lab-based environments
• How can psychological labs resemble natural settings for children?

  By designing labs to look like playrooms
• What does a researcher do in naturalistic observation?

  No attempt to manipulate variables
• What are the strengths and limitations of naturalistic observation?

  Strengths:

  • Mundane realism
  • High ecological realism

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Hard to replicate the same environment
• What characterizes controlled observation?

  Conditions are manipulated by the researcher
• What is a key advantage of controlled observation?

  High level of control over variables
• Why is controlled observation easy to replicate?

  Due to highly standardized processes
• What are the strengths and limitations of controlled observation?

  Strengths:

  • Easy to replicate
  • Focus on specific aspects

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Lacks mundane realism
  • Low ecological validity
• What is participant observation?

  Researcher participates in group activities
• What perspective does a researcher gain in participant observation?

  A new perspective from within the group
• What are the strengths and limitations of participant observation?

  Strengths:

  • Deeper understanding of behavior
  • High levels of validity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Demand characteristics and social desirability bias
  • Loss of objectivity
• When is participant observation particularly useful?

  When observing a group the researcher doesn't belong to
• What is non-participant observation?

  Observer watches from a distance without participation
• How can non-participant observation be conducted?

  Using a video camera or one-way mirror
• What are the strengths and limitations of non-participant observation?

  Strengths:

  • More objective analysis
  • No investigator effects

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ethical issues if covert
  • Difficulties in note-taking
• What is overt observation?

  Researcher reveals their identity and purpose
• What is a strength of overt observation?

  Fewer ethical issues due to consent
• What are the strengths and limitations of overt observation?

  Strengths:

  • Fewer ethical issues

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Participants may alter behavior
  • Lower ecological validity
• What is covert observation?

  Study conducted without participants' knowledge
• What is a key strength of covert observation?

  Participants behave more naturally
• What are the strengths and limitations of covert observation?

  Strengths:

  • Higher ecological validity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ethical issues with deception
  • Loss of objectivity in reporting
• What are the steps in planning observations?

  1. Decide on observation type and justify
  2. Address ethical issues
  3. Create observational recording sheet
  4. Decide on sampling procedure
• What is inter-observer reliability?

  Agreement between two or more observers
• What are behavioral categories in observations?

  • Clear target behavior definition
  • List of possible behaviors fitting the definition
  • Operationalization for measurable form
  • Categories should be mutually exclusive
• What is event sampling?

  Observing entire events and tallying behaviors
• What is a strength of event sampling?

  Preserves the wholeness of the study
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of event sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Less likely to miss behaviors
  • Studies both frequent and infrequent events

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May miss behaviors if too many occur
• What is time sampling?

  Counting behaviors during specified time intervals
• When is time sampling particularly useful?

  When behaviors are difficult to count
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of time sampling?

  Strengths:

  • More practical for long observations
  • Tracks behavior changes over time

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Behaviors may be missed in gaps