Observation

• 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 behavior
• 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 is artificial and may alter behavior
• 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 behavior
• What is the difference between overt and covert observations?

  Overt: 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 observations?

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

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

  Observes natural behavior 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 observations
• What is a participant observation?

  Researcher becomes involved in the group studied
• What is a key advantage of participant observations?

  Researcher gains first-hand knowledge of participants
• What is a significant weakness of participant observations?

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

  Researcher observes without becoming part of the group
• What is a key advantage of non-participant observations?

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

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

  • Clearly defining a variable for measurement
  • Example: Observing aggression by counting punches, pushes, kicks
  • Helps in objective measurement of behaviors
• What is the purpose of operationalized behavioral categories?

  To objectively measure specific behaviors
• What is time sampling in observations?

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

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

  Important behavior may be missed outside intervals
• What is a key 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 on psych boost for research methods?

  • 6 tutorial videos covering AS and A-level research methods
  • Worked examples for every question
  • Over a hundred printable resources
• Who supports the development of the research methods unit on psych boost?

  • Students and teachers on Patreon
  • Their support allows for part-time teaching
  • Enables creation of educational content on YouTube