Observations

• What are the different types of observations?

  Naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant, non-participant
• What is a naturalistic observation?

  • Conducted in a natural setting
  • Minimal interference from the researcher
  • Examples: school, prison, shopping centre
• Why is ecological validity a strength of naturalistic observation?

  Findings can be generalized to real-life settings
• What ethical concerns are associated with naturalistic observation?

  Some behaviors cannot be manipulated ethically
• What is a disadvantage of naturalistic observation regarding extraneous variables?

  It is hard to determine the cause of behavior
• What is a controlled observation?

  Observations in controlled lab conditions
• Why are controlled observations easy to replicate?

  High control and standardized procedures
• What is a weakness of controlled observations related to participant behavior?

  Participants may change behavior due to awareness
• How does the artificial environment of controlled observations affect findings?

  It lacks ecological validity for real-life situations
• What defines a covert observation?

  Observation done secretly without participant knowledge
• What is a strength of covert observations regarding participant behavior?

  Participants act naturally without demand characteristics
• What ethical issue arises from covert observations?

  Participants do not give informed consent
• What is a challenge in covert observations related to data collection?

  Recording behavior without being discovered is difficult
• What characterizes an overt observation?

  Observation done openly with participant awareness
• What is a strength of overt observations regarding participant feedback?

  Researchers can gather more information post-observation
• What ethical advantage does overt observation have over covert observation?

  Participants give consent to be observed
• What is a weakness of overt observation related to participant behavior?

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

  Observer participates in the group's behavior
• What is a strength of participant observation regarding understanding behavior?

  Researcher gains a fuller understanding of the group
• How does covert participant observation affect participant behavior?

  Behavior is natural and unaffected by observation
• What is a disadvantage of participant observation regarding objectivity?

  Researcher may lose objectivity as a participant
• What is a challenge in covert participant observation related to data recording?

  Recording behavior without being discovered is hard
• What defines a non-participant observation?

  Researcher observes without engaging in activities
• What is a strength of non-participant observation regarding interference?

  Researcher does not interfere with observed behavior
• How does non-participant observation affect the researcher's objectivity?

  Researcher remains objective and detached
• What is a disadvantage of non-participant observation compared to participant observation?

  Observer may not fully understand group actions
• What is a challenge with overt non-participant observations?

  Presence of observer may change group behavior
• What are the methods of data collection in observations?

  • Time sampling: Observing at set intervals
  • Event sampling: Focusing on specific behaviors
• What is time sampling in observations?

  Observing at pre-established time intervals
• What is a limitation of time sampling?


  Important behaviors may be missed
• What is event sampling in observations?

  Recording every occurrence of a specific behavior
• Why is event sampling useful?

  Captures infrequent behaviors that may be missed
• How is data recorded in observations using behavioral categories?

  • Use a behavior checklist or schedule
  • Tally each observed behavior in appropriate categories
• What is a strength of using behavioral categories in observations?

  Tallies make data easier to quantify
• How do behavioral categories enhance the scientific nature of observations?

  They standardize data collection for reliability
• What is a problem with inter-observer reliability in behavioral categories?

  Different observers may define behaviors differently
• What is a challenge in training observers for behavioral categories?

  Observers require lengthy training for reliability