Research Methods - Observations

Question 1

define a controlled observation

Answer 1

observation in an artificial environment

Question 2

define a naturalistic observation

Answer 2

observing behaviour in a natural environment

Question 3

define a participant observation

Answer 3

when the observer joins the group

Question 4

define a non participant observation

Answer 4

when the researcher observes behaviour without participating in the group

Question 5

define an overt observation

Answer 5

when participants know they are being observed

Question 6

define a covert observation

Answer 6

observation in which the observer’s presence or purpose is kept secret from those being observed

Question 7

define a structured observation

Answer 7

a pre set behaviour checklist before observing

Question 8

define an unstructured observation

Answer 8

no pre set behaviour to tally, so everything or anything can be recorded

Question 9

define time sampling

Answer 9

record behaviour at specified time intervals eg every 10 mins

Question 10

define event samping

Answer 10

record every time you see your specified behaviours during the duration of that event

Question 11

Give a strength and weakness of controlled observations

Answer 11

high control over extraneous variables due to artificial setting, increasing internal validity

lower ecological validity due to control- may not be able to generalise to real life

Question 12

Give a strength and weakness of naturalistic observations

Answer 12

high ecological validity , more generalizable to real life

more likely to be impacted by extraneous variables due to lack of control

Question 13

Give a strength and weakness of participant observations

Answer 13

allows observer to gather more detailed accounts due to flexibility as observer is involved in the events they are observing giving more accurate data

hard to remain hidden due to observer being involved
, may change or effect the behaviour of the group

Question 14

Give a strength and weakness of non participant observations

Answer 14

reduces the effect of the observer on the participants behavior as they are unaware of the observation reducing demand characteristics

may miss vital info / behaviors as they’re external to participants

Question 15

Give a strength and weakness of covert observations

Answer 15

reduces demand characteristics as participants are unaware they are being observed

quite unethical
difficult to remain hidden as observer has to make notes which may make them look suspicious

Question 16

Give a strength and weakness of overt observations

Answer 16

removes ethical issues such as informed consent or right to privacy as participants know that they are being observed

potential for demand characteristics/social desireability as they know that they are being observed so may change behaviour - observer effect

Question 17

Give a strength and weakness of structured observations

Answer 17

simplifies data recording process making it easier to establish inter rater reliability as there is a pre determined list of operationalized behaviors

due to pre determined categories other spontaneous behavior cant be recorded therefore only giving a limited view of behavior

Question 18

Give a strength and weakness of unstructured observations

Answer 18

you can record a wide range of behaviors seen - its not constricted by a pre determined list to follow

harder to establish inter rater reliability as there isn’t a pre determined list of operationalized behaviors for all observers to follow - making it harder to compare their observations afterwards

Question 19

Give a strength and weakness of time sampling

Answer 19

reduces researcher fatigue as you don’t have to constantly watch behavior as you only observe at set intervals which simplifies data recording process

potential to miss behaviors occurring outside of the observation intervals causing a lack of validity

Question 20

Give a strength and weakness of event sampling

Answer 20

less likely to miss behavior as you continuously record all occurrences of behavior - causes collection of valid data as no behaviors are missed like in time sampling

may get difficult to record behavior so may miss some behavior whilst recording others as you have to observe continuously , leading to a lack of validity as only the most eye catching may be recorded .