week 10 Flashcards
Observational research
observing a relatively unconstrained segment of individuals freely chosen behaviour within a particular setting
Trained individuals record activities, event or processes as precisely and comprehensively as possible
Technique
Simply the technique to measure the dependent variable
Often used within a traditional experiment design in a lab setting
May or may not be part of an experiment
Design
Relies primarily on observational records
Study that is solely observational and does not include any experimentation
Observation as a technique
Used in a laboratory setting in addition to other forms of data collection
Used in field experiment
Observation as overall design
Researcher chooses to observe naturally occurring behaviour and not experiment with it
Controlled vs. naturalistic observation
Controlled: observation in controlled setting often a laboratory or observation room
Naturalistic: observation of people without intervention in their own environment
Participant
Participant: the observer acts in the observed group. Qualitative approach to observation
Non-participant
observation from a distance. No interference with the behaviour being observed
Structure and quantitative approach to observation
Disclosed vs undisclosed observation
Distinction based on whether or not researcher has disclosed to participants that they are being observed for research purposes
Information given can be partial, or can involve some amount of deception in order to encourage more genuine behaviour
Undisclosed observation
Undisclosed observation has ethical issue: obtaining informed consent from participants prior to the start of the research
Giving participants the option to opt-out of the study
Advantages: protecting the researchers from harm, allowing access to site that otherwise would have been possible to study
Reactivity effects
Tendency to alter behaviour in response to awareness of being observed
Reactivity effects could be eliminated by the use of hidden and secret cameras
One way to reduce to reduce reactivity is to become a predictable and familiar part of the environment
Structured observation
Relies ideally on representative samples of behaviour
define behaviours before starting
Observed behaviours are coded using these pre-established categories
Typical in quantitative studies
Unstructured observation
recording takes place after the observation
No restrictions placed on what the observer will note
Typical in qualitative studies
Main features of structured observation
Defining behaviour categories to be recorded prior to commencing the main observational session
Sampling: of behaviour in a consistent manner
Training: of observers in the use of a coding system and to a good level of agreement prior to main data-gathering session
Observing
Define behaviour categories
Define behaviour categories- what kind of behaviours do you think fit those categories
Predefined categories should be. Mutually exclusive: behaviour can be in only one category; no overlap
Exhaustive: all behaviours must be covered by codes usually based on theory
Create a coding scheme
