Pilot Studies, Observational Techniques and Designs

• What is a pilot study?

  A small-scale version of an investigation
• Why are pilot studies conducted?

  To identify potential problems before the main study
• How do pilot studies save money and time?

  By modifying procedures before the main study
• What is a single-blind procedure?

  Participants are unaware of their treatment group
• What is the purpose of a single-blind procedure?

  To avoid bias from participants' expectations
• What is a double-blind procedure?

  Neither participants nor experimenters know treatment
• Why are double-blind procedures useful?

  They prevent bias from both participants and researchers
• What is the role of a control group?

  To set a baseline for comparison
• What is naturalistic observation?

  Observing behavior in its natural setting
• What is a strength of naturalistic observation?

  High ecological validity
• What is a limitation of naturalistic observation?

  Participants may alter behavior if aware
• What is controlled observation?

  Observing behavior in a structured environment
• What is a strength of controlled observation?

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

  Low ecological validity due to unnatural setting
• What is overt observation?

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

  Ethically acceptable with informed consent
• What is a limitation of overt observation?

  Participants may alter behavior due to awareness
• What is covert observation?

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

  Records natural behavior with high validity
• What is a limitation of covert observation?

  Ethical issues due to lack of consent
• What is participant observation?

  Researcher is part of the group being observed
• What is a strength of participant observation?

  Increases validity through insightful data
• What is a limitation of participant observation?

  Researcher may lose objectivity
• What is non-participant observation?

  Researcher observes from a distance
• What is a strength of non-participant observation?

  Researcher can maintain objectivity
• What is a limitation of non-participant observation?

  May miss valuable insights from participants
• What is observer bias?

  When reports are influenced by expectations
• What is unstructured observation?

  Continuous recording of everything observed
• What is a strength of unstructured observation?

  Provides richness and depth of detail
• What is a limitation of unstructured observation?

  Greater risk of observer bias present
• What is structured observation?

  Quantifying behavior using predetermined lists
• What is a strength of structured observation?

  Easier and more systematic data collection
• What is a limitation of structured observation?

  Not much depth of detail collected
• Why is it important to operationalize behaviors?

  To avoid overlap and ensure clarity
• What is time sampling?

  Recording behavior within a set timeframe
• What is a strength of time sampling?

  Reduces the number of observations needed
• What is a limitation of time sampling?

  Data may be unrepresentative of the whole
• What is event sampling?

  Counting specific behaviors during observation
• What is a strength of event sampling?

  Good for infrequent behaviors likely to be missed
• What is a limitation of event sampling?

  Important details may be overlooked