Observational techniques

    Cards (25)

    • What is the primary purpose of observations in research?
      To collect data by watching behaviors
    • What are the different dimensions of observations?
      • Overt vs. Covert
      • Non-participant vs. Participant
      • Controlled vs. Naturalistic
    • What distinguishes overt observations from covert observations?
      Participants are aware in overt observations
    • How do non-participant observations differ from participant observations?
      Non-participant observes from outside the group
    • What is the main difference between controlled and naturalistic observations?
      Controlled observations are set up by psychologists
    • Why are overt observations considered more ethical than covert observations?
      Participants know they are being observed
    • What is a practical advantage of overt observations?
      Researchers can observe from different angles
    • What is the observer effect in covert observations?
      Participants behave differently when watched
    • What advantage do participant observations offer over non-participant observations?
      More insight from direct experience
    • How can non-participant observations be more objective?
      Researchers maintain distance from subjects
    • What is a key benefit of controlled observations?
      Easier to establish causation or correlation
    • What is a significant advantage of naturalistic observations?
      High ecological validity in real settings
    • What are behavioral categories in observational design?
      • Components of target behaviors
      • Simplify complex behaviors for observation
      • Examples: 'active play', 'agitation'
    • Why are behavioral categories useful for data collection?
      They allow for quantitative data collection
    • What is a potential drawback of using behavioral categories?
      Some meaning of behaviors may be lost
    • What issue can arise from pre-determined behavioral categories?
      Key components may be missed or mis-recorded
    • What is event sampling in observational design?
      • Selecting one behavioral category to observe
      • Tallying occurrences of that behavior
      • Example: counting traffic violations
    • What is a practical benefit of event sampling?
      Important information is less likely to be missed
    • What is a limitation of event sampling?
      It may oversimplify complex behaviors
    • What is time sampling in observational design?
      • Observing behaviors at set intervals
      • Example: every 10 minutes for 30 seconds
      • Provides a record over a long observation period
    • What is an advantage of time sampling?
      Reduces mistakes from observer fatigue
    • What is a potential drawback of time sampling?
      Key behaviors may be missed between intervals
    • What are the strengths of observation as a research method?
      • Reliable findings from direct observation
      • Can observe actual events in controlled settings
    • What are the limitations of observation as a research method?
      • Difficult to judge thoughts and feelings
      • Observer bias may affect results
    • How can using multiple observers improve observational research?
      It increases inter-rater reliability
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