Chapter 6

Question 1

Difference in Observational Technique vs. Design

Answer 1

Observation can be simply the technique for measuring the dependent variable in an experiment but observational designs rely primarily on observational records of relatively unconstrained, natural behaviour

Question 2

Difference in Participant observation (where the observer acts in the observed group) vs. non-participant observation

Answer 2

So called participant observation studies often use interview techniques more than they use pure observation

Question 3

Seperate Disclosed (people know what the observer is doing) from

Answer 3

undisclosed observations.

Question 4

Separate Structured (where some kind of coding is used) from

Answer 4

Non-structured observations

Question 5

Separate Controlled observation (often in the laboratory) from

Answer 5

Naturalistic observation (in the observed persons own environment.

Question 6

ISSUES

Answer 6

Relative strength and weaknesses of the various techniques and approaches.

The objection of some qualitative researchers to structure and control in observational studies

Reliability of observations

Degree of participation

Ethical issues of undisclosed participant observations.

Question 7

ADVANTAGES

Answer 7

Provides unique information, unavailable by any other method – which may trigger more general and structured research.

Question 8

Archival data

Answer 8

Data obtained from public records and used as evidence

Question 9

Data-gathering devices

Answer 9

visual recording, still camera, audio, hand written notes, rating or coding.

Question 10

Case study

Answer 10

Intense study of one individual, group or organisation often using several methods.

These methods can be + more: observation, interview, surveys and questionnaires, archival data, focus groups etc..

Question 11

Code (coding)

Answer 11

Quantifying by giving similar observed instances of behaviour a symbol

Example: systematically analyse large datasets when it comes to online reviews of a phone. Battery is one code. Screen is another. Camera is another.

Question 12

Diary method

Answer 12

Data-gathering method where participant makes regular (often daily) record of relevant events.

Example: patient exposed to new medicine and writing a journal every night of how it makes her feel.

Question 13

Disclosure

Answer 13

Letting people know that they are the object of observation

Question 14

Event sampling

Answer 14

Recording pre-specified behavioural events as they occur.

Example: seeing how many kids raise their hands in a classroom each day over a month before they switch up the teaching style to compare later

Question 15

Halo effect and reverse halo effect (devil effect, horns effect)

Answer 15

Tendency for people to judge a person’s characteristics as positive if they have already observed one central trait to be positive or have gained an overall positive first impression. Reverse effect occurs if an initial negative impression causes traits to be assessed negatively.

Example: showing up to a Job interview well dressed and on time vs. Late and in sweats.

Question 16

Inter-observer reliability and inter-rater reliability

Answer 16

Extent to which observers agree in their rating or coding.

Example: it’s all about making sure that when different people assess the same thing, they tend to give similar assessments. - Cleanliness of rooms.

Question 17

Interval sampling

Answer 17

Recording of what behaviour is occurring, or the typical behaviour, in specified time intervals.

Examples: What is the kid doing for these 5 minute intervals?

“How many people arrived and left during those 10 minutes”

Question 18

Momentary time sampling

Answer 18

Recording what is occurring only at the end of specified time intervals.

Example What is the kid doing every 5 minutes on the dot?

How many were leaving or arriving at the end of the 1st period?

Question 19

Controlled observation

Answer 19

observation in controlled setting, often a laboratory or observation room.

Question 20

Indirect/archival observation type

Answer 20

Observations not made on people directly, but using available records.

Question 21

Naturalistic observation

Answer 21

Observations without intervention in observed people´s own environment

Question 22

Participant observation

Answer 22

Observation in which observer takes part or plays a role in the group observed.

Example: Learn about a closed off community by joining the community

Question 23

Structured/systematic observation

Answer 23

observation that uses an explicitly defined coding framework for data recording.

Example: creating detailed coding framework for student participation in history lessons.

Question 24

Observational design

Answer 24

Study that is solely observational and does not include any experimentation

Question 25

Observational technique

Answer 25

Procedure using observation that may or may not be part of an experiment

Example: basically just using observation

Question 26

Observer bias

Answer 26

threat to the validity of the observational records caused solely by the characteristics of the observer

Example: female observer might have an observer bias towards young girls when observing what gender gets bullied the most in 6th grade.

Question 27

Partial interval recording

Answer 27

Only recording whether a behaviour occurred or not during any time specified interval

Example: 1st interval: people both left and arrived.

Question 28

Role play

Answer 28

study in which participants acts out given roles.

Example: sex

Question 29

Simulation

Answer 29

Study in which participants re-create and play through, to a certain extent, a social interaction.

Question 30

Time sampling

Answer 30

Interval sampling but where observations are only taken during certain non-continuous time intervals

Example: Studying laughter with kids at a playground for 2 hours, divided into 4 30-minute intervals and only recording whether they laught at minutes: 5,15 and 25 during each interval. Not how many or why, just if.

Question 31

Verbal protocol

Answer 31

Recording of a participant speaking or thinking out loud while performing a task.

Example: Solving a puzzle: “I am now going to divide the puzzles based on colours…”