Lesson 2- Observational Techniques

Question 1

What is an observation?

Answer 1

An observation is when a researcher watches or listens to participants engaging in the behaviour being studied

Question 2

What is a non-participant observation

Answer 2

An observation in which the researcher does not get involved with the interactions of participants

Question 3

What is a participant observation

Answer 3

When the researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the participants

Question 4

What is a Covert observation?

Answer 4

When the psychologist goes undercover and does not reveal their true identity.

In this type of observation the group do NOT know that they are being observed

Question 5

What is a Overt observation?

Answer 5

A type of observation where the researcher watches and records the behaviour of a group that know they are being observed by a psychologist

Question 6

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 6

When a researcher observes participants in their own environment and there is no deliberate manipulation of the IV

Question 7

Advantages of naturalistic observations?

Answer 7

1) Reduced chance of OBSERVER EFFECT as participants are usually unaware they are being watched

2)High mundane realism and ecological validity

3) they are useful when deliberate manipulation of variables would be IMPRACTICAL or UNETHICAL

Question 8

Disadvantages of Naturalistic observations

Answer 8

1) impossible to control EV
2) problematic to determine CAUSE and EFFECT
3) Risk of OBSERVER BIAS

Question 9

What is observer effects?

Answer 9

When participants CHANGE their BEHAVIOUR because they know they’re being watched

Question 10

What is observer bias?

Answer 10

When the OBSERVERS know the aims of the study or HYPOTHESES and this knowledge influences their observations

Question 11

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 11

An observation in which a researcher observes participants in a controlled environment.

This allows manipulation of IV

Question 12

Advantages of controlled observation?

Answer 12

1.CAUSE and EFFECT can be determined

2. EV can be controlled for

Question 13

Disadvantages of controlled observations

Answer 13

1. Lower mundane realism and ecological validity
2. Observer effects could occur as participants know they’re being observed
3. Risk of observer bias

Question 14

What are operationalised behavioural categories

Answer 14

Specific and observable behaviours to be recorded during an observation.

Question 15

What is time sampling?

Answer 15

Recording behaviours in a given time frame

Question 16

What is event sampling

Answer 16

A type of sampling where a observer records the number of times a certain behaviour occurs.

Question 17

Name two ways of overcoming observer bias

Answer 17

1. Hide the purpose of your study from all observer s

2.intra-observer reliability-> the process in which an observation is video recorded so that it can be watched several times