Observation

• Observations can differ depending on:

  •Setting which its carried out (Naturalistic V Controlled)

  •Role of researcher (Participant or Non Participant)

  •Awareness of p involved (Covert or Overt)

  •Amount of structure imposed (structured or unstructured)

  •Time or Event sampling

  •Inter-Observer Reliability (% agreement (correlation)) can be improved by training data collectors
• Event Sampling VS Time Sampling
• Event Sampling

  Counting number of time particular behaviour carried out

  +Good for infrequent behaviours that missed due to time sampling

  -If behaviour complex, important details overlooked

  -If behaviour is frequent may be counting errors
• Time Sampling

  Recorded at fixed intervals

  +Less time consuming=reduces num of observations being made

  -Small amount of data=unrepresentative of observation as a whole
• Controlled VS Naturalistic
• Controlled

  Observe and record in structured enviro e.g. lab

  + Standardised

  +Can focus on specific behaviours

  -Artificial situs=DC

  -Low mundane realism and ecological validity
• Naturalistic

  Observe and record in natural setting

  +High ecological Validity

  +High external Validity

  -Not standardised=unreliable

  -Extraneous and confounding Variales
• Participant VS Non-Participant
• Participant

  Researcher is member of group being studied (covert or overt)

  +High internal V=Insight

  -Hawthorne effect=behaviour changes

  -Researcher may lose objectivity=identify with P
• Non-Participant

  Researcher observes group from distance

  +Researcher remains objective and less likely to identify with P

  -Observer bias e.g. stereotypes

  -low external validity- researcher lose insight
• Structure VS Unstructured
• Structured

  Researcher quantifies what's being observed using predetermined list

  +Systematic=high reliability

  +Quantative data=easier to record and analyse

  +Less risk of observer bias

  -Lowers validity

  -Interrater reliability hard to achieve as lists subjective to researcher
• Unstructured

  Continuous recording, researcher writes down everything seen during observation

  +Higher validity=more depth of detail

  -Qualitative data=harder to analyse and collect

  -Greater risk of observer bias=record catch the eye behaviour
• Covert VS Overt
• Covert

  Participants are unaware that being observed

  +High internal val

  +Removes Hawthorne effect and P reactivity (making sense of situ)

  -Ethical issues (lack of informed consent)
• Overt

  Participants aware being observed

  +Ethically acceptable (consent given)

  -Hawthorne effect

  -DC (guessing aim)

  -Low external val