Observations

• What is an observation in research?

  Watching behavior without interference
• What types of data can observations produce?

  Qualitative and quantitative data
• What are the types of observation in research?

  • Participant observation
  • Non-participant observation
  • Covert observation
  • Overt observation
  • Controlled observation
  • Naturalistic observation
  • Structured observation
  • Unstructured observation
• What is participant observation?

  Observer acts like a participant in the study
• What is a strength of participant observation?

  Greater insight and detail into behavior
• What is a weakness of participant observation?

  More observer bias
• What is non-participant observation?

  Observer remains an outsider to the activity
• What is a strength of non-participant observation?

  Less observer bias
• What is a weakness of non-participant observation?

  Less insight into behavior
• What is covert observation?

  Participants are unaware they are being studied
• What is a strength of covert observation?

  Less likely for participants to show demand characteristics
• What is a weakness of covert observation?

  More ethical issues due to lack of consent
• What is overt observation?

  Participants are aware they are being observed
• What is a strength of overt observation?

  Less likely to have ethical issues
• What is a weakness of overt observation?

  More likely for participants to show demand characteristics
• What is controlled observation?

  Some variables are controlled in an artificial setting
• What is a strength of controlled observation?

  More control of extraneous variables
• What is a weakness of controlled observation?

  Lower ecological validity
• What is naturalistic observation?

  Behavior studied in a natural situation
• What is a strength of naturalistic observation?

  Higher ecological validity
• What is a weakness of naturalistic observation?

  Less control of extraneous variables
• What is structured observation?

  Uses systems like behavioral categories and sampling
• What is a strength of structured observation?

  Easier to analyze and compare data
• What is a weakness of structured observation?

  May miss some behaviors, less rich detail
• What is unstructured observation?

  All relevant behavior is recorded
• What is a strength of unstructured observation?

  Greater detail into behavior
• What is a weakness of unstructured observation?

  Less easy to analyze data
• What are the criteria for behavioral categories?

  • Distinct: do not overlap
  • Definable: very clear
  • Measurable: can identify it
• What is event sampling?

  • Counting the number of times a behavior occurs
  • Records every instance, representative of behavior
• What is a strength of event sampling?

  Records every instance, representative of behavior
• What is a weakness of event sampling?

  Observer may miss complex events
• What is time sampling?

  • Recording what a participant is doing at preset intervals
  • Useful when there is a lot to observe
• What is a strength of time sampling?

  Clear when to record observations
• What is a weakness of time sampling?

  Some behaviors may be missed during breaks