9.1.2 Observational Methods

• What is the primary goal of observational methods in psychology?

  To record real-world behavior
• Systematic observation involves planned and structured data collection
• Observational methods involve manipulating variables to study behavior

  False
• What is a key advantage of naturalistic observation?

  High ecological validity
• Controlled observations are conducted in structured environments
• Match the type of observational method with its description:

  Participant observation ↔️ Researcher becomes part of the group

  Non-participant observation ↔️ Researcher observes from a distance

  Naturalistic observation ↔️ Observing behavior in natural settings

  Controlled observation ↔️ Observing behavior in structured environments
• Order the types of observational methods from most naturalistic to most structured:

  1️⃣ Naturalistic

  2️⃣ Non-Participant

  3️⃣ Participant

  4️⃣ Controlled
• What is a major disadvantage of observational methods in psychology?

  Prone to observer bias
• Observational methods are ethical because they always obtain informed consent

  False
• Observational methods often collect detailed and rich qualitative
• Give an example of a naturalistic observation scenario

  Observing children's play in a park
• The Hawthorne effect occurs when participants change their behavior because they know they are being observed
• Naturalistic observation studies behavior in natural settings
• What is a potential downside of participant observation?

  Loss of objectivity
• Observational methods are free from ethical concerns because they do not involve manipulation

  False
• What are the primary advantages of observational methods?

  Ecological validity and cost-effectiveness
• Observational methods provide detailed and rich qualitative data.
• Observer bias is a common disadvantage of observational methods.
• Why are observational methods considered cost-effective?

  Minimal resources required
• Observational methods can be time-consuming and raise ethical concerns.
• Match the advantage with its related disadvantage in observational methods:

  High ecological validity ↔️ Difficult to control extraneous variables

  Detailed and rich qualitative data ↔️ Prone to observer bias
• What ethical concern may arise in observational studies regarding privacy?

  Lack of informed consent
• Observational methods allow in-depth analysis of complex behaviours.
• Weather conditions can affect data collection when observing children's play in a park.
• What is one example of an external factor that can affect observational data in a natural setting?

  Weather conditions
• Order the ethical principles in observational research based on their importance:

  1️⃣ Informed consent

  2️⃣ Privacy

  3️⃣ Confidentiality

  4️⃣ Minimising risk of harm
• Match the ethical principle with its description in observational research:

  Informed consent ↔️ Fully informed about study's purpose

  Privacy ↔️ Respect participants' privacy

  Confidentiality ↔️ Keep identities and data anonymous
• Observational methods struggle with controlling extraneous variables.
• Which research method allows for establishing cause-and-effect relationships but may lack ecological validity?

  Experiments