Observations

• What is the definition of observation in research?

  Researchers watching and recording behaviour
• What are the two main types of observation researchers can choose from?

  Controlled and naturalistic observations
• What is a controlled observation?

  Participants are observed in a controlled setting
• What is a key advantage of controlled observations?

  Reduces effects of extraneous variables
• What is a significant weakness of controlled observations?

  The environment may be artificial
• What is a naturalistic observation?

  Participants are observed in their normal environment
• What is a key advantage of naturalistic observations?

  High realism and external validity
• What is a significant weakness of naturalistic observations?

  Unknown extraneous variables may affect behaviour
• What is the difference between overt and covert observation?

  Overt means participants know they are observed
• What is a key ethical consideration in overt observations?

  Participants must give informed consent
• What is a weakness of overt observation?

  Participants may change their behaviour
• What is a covert observation?

  Participants do not know they are being observed
• What is a key advantage of covert observations?

  Observes natural behaviour for more validity
• What is a significant ethical concern with covert observations?

  Participants do not give informed consent
• What are the two types of participant observation?

  Participant and non-participant observation
• What is a participant observation?

  Researcher becomes involved in the group
• What is an advantage of participant observation?

  Researcher gains first-hand knowledge
• What is a weakness of participant observation?

  Risk of losing objectivity and bias
• What is a non-participant observation?

  Researcher observes without becoming part of the group
• What is an advantage of non-participant observation?

  Increases objectivity in data collection
• What is a weakness of non-participant observation?

  May miss important findings from distance
• What are operationalised behavioural categories?

  • Clearly defining a variable
  • Allows for objective measurement
  • Example: Observing aggressive behaviour by counting punches, pushes, and kicks
• Why is it important to operationalise behaviour in observations?

  To measure it objectively and clearly
• What is time sampling in observations?

  Recording behaviour at set time intervals
• What is event sampling in observations?

  Recording all behaviour from a defined list
• What is a limitation of time sampling?

  Important behaviour may be missed
• What is a limitation of event sampling?

  May need many observers for accuracy
• What is inter-rater reliability?

  Using two researchers to compare observations
• How do researchers assess inter-rater reliability?

  By comparing data sets for similarity
• What correlation value do researchers expect for reliable results?

  0.8 or higher
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of different observation types?

  Strengths:

  • Controlled: Reduces extraneous variables
  • Naturalistic: High realism and external validity
  • Overt: Ethical, informed consent
  • Covert: Observes natural behaviour

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Controlled: Artificial environment
  • Naturalistic: Unknown extraneous variables
  • Overt: Demand characteristics
  • Covert: Ethical concerns, no consent