Observations

• What will the video discuss regarding observation types?

  Strengths and weaknesses of each type
• 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 without influence
• 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?

  Gains first-hand knowledge of participants
• What is a risk of participant observation?

  Researcher may lose objectivity and become biased
• 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 observations
• 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: recording specific aggressive actions
• Why is it important to operationalise behaviours?

  To measure them 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 defined categories
• What is a limitation of time sampling?

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

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

  Agreement between two researchers' observations
• How is inter-rater reliability tested?

  Using two researchers with the same categories
• What correlation value do researchers expect for reliable results?

  A correlation of 0.8 or higher
• What resources are available for students on psych boost?

  • Tutorial videos on research methods
  • Worked examples for exam questions
  • Printable resources for A-level psychology
• Who supported psych boost on Patreon?

  Students and teachers
• What will the next video cover?

  Self-reports in research methods