Observation

• What is the definition of observation in research?

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

  Controlled and naturalistic observations
• What is a controlled observation?

  Observation in a controlled lab environment
• 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?

  Observation in participants' 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 behavior
• What distinguishes overt observation from covert observation?

  Participants know they are being observed
• What is a key ethical consideration in overt observation?

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

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

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

  Observes natural behavior for more validity
• What is a significant ethical concern with covert observation?

  Participants have not given 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 a key advantage of participant observation?

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

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

  Researcher observes without becoming involved
• What is a key advantage of non-participant observation?

  Increases objectivity in observations
• What is a significant weakness of non-participant observation?

  May miss important findings from distance
• What are operationalized behavioral categories?

  • Clearly defining a variable
  • Allows for objective measurement
  • Example: Observing aggression by counting punches, pushes, kicks
• What is the purpose of a frequency chart in observations?

  To record operationalized behaviors easily
• What is time sampling in observational research?

  Recording behavior at set time intervals
• What is event sampling in observational research?

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

  Important behavior may be missed outside intervals
• 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