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 behaviour
• What influences the type of observation a researcher chooses?

  The research question being investigated
• What is a controlled observation?

  Observation in a controlled environment
• What is an advantage of controlled observations?

  Reduces effects of extraneous variables
• What is a major weakness of controlled observations?

  The environment may be artificial
• What is a naturalistic observation?

  Observation in the participant's normal environment
• What is the advantage of naturalistic observations?

  High realism and external validity
• What is a disadvantage of naturalistic observations?

  Unknown extraneous variables may affect behaviour
• What is an overt observation?

  Participants know they are being observed
• Why is informed consent important in overt observations?

  Participants must agree to take part
• What is a weakness of overt observations?

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

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

  Observes natural behaviour for more validity
• What is a significant ethical concern with covert observations?

  Participants do not give informed consent
• What is a participant observation?

  Researcher becomes involved in the group
• What is an advantage of participant observations?

  Researcher gains first-hand knowledge
• What is a disadvantage of participant observations?

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

  Researcher records without becoming involved
• What is an advantage of non-participant observations?

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

  May miss important findings from distance
• What are operationalised behavioural categories?

  • Clearly defining a variable
  • Allows for objective measurement
  • Example: recording specific aggressive actions
• What does it mean to operationalise a behaviour?

  To clearly define a variable for measurement
• Why is it important to have clear behavioural categories?

  To objectively measure specific behaviours
• What is time sampling?

  Recording behaviour at set time intervals
• What is a disadvantage of time sampling?

  Important behaviour may be missed
• What is event sampling?

  Recording all behaviour from a list
• What is a disadvantage 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 indicates reliable results?

  A correlation of 0.8 or higher
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of different observation types?

  Strengths:

  • Controlled observations reduce extraneous variables
  • Naturalistic observations provide high realism
  • Participant observations offer first-hand insights
  • Non-participant observations increase objectivity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Controlled observations may lack ecological validity
  • Naturalistic observations have unknown variables
  • Participant observations risk researcher bias
  • Non-participant observations may miss important data
• What resources are available on psych boost for patrons?

  Printable resources and tutorial videos
• Why is support from patrons important for psych boost?

  It allows for part-time teaching and content creation
• What will the next video cover?

  Self-reports in research methods