Methods - learning theories

Question 1

What is observational research?

Answer 1

Watching or listening to what participants do
+ High validity
- Observer bias

Question 2

What is event sampling?

Answer 2

Drawing up a list of behavioural categories and counting each time each of the behaviours occurred in a specified time period
+ Observing behaviour is more manageable
- May decrease validity if important behaviour occurs outside behaviour interval

Question 3

What is content analysis?

Answer 3

-An observational study in which behaviour is seen indirectly in written or verbal material. Categories are identified and then instances in each category can be counted so quantitative data is produced.

Question 4

What are advantages and disadvantages of content analysis?

Answer 4

+ High ecological validity because its based on observations of what people actually do
+ Content analysis can be replicated and therefore can be tested for reliability
-Observer bias reduces objectivity and validity of findings because people may interpret categories differently

Question 5

What is a participant observation?

Answer 5

Observing the participant whilst being present
+ May see behaviour in greater detail
- Objectivity in greater detail
- Study could become overt

Question 6

What is a non participant observation?

Answer 6

Observer isn’t a participant in the behaviour being observed
+ Increased objectivity
+ Can observe unobtrusively
- Observer may see less or misinterpret behaviours

Question 7

What is a structured observation?

Answer 7

Some variables are changed by the researcher
+ Controlled environment allows focus on particular aspects of behaviour
- Environment may feel unnatural so lacks ecological validity
- Participants may find out they are being studied

Question 8

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 8

Everything is left as usual
+ Likely to behave normally
- Observation will be covert, which raises ethical issues

Question 9

What is an overt observation?

Answer 9

Participant is aware of being observed
+ Easier to see everything going on as participant doesn’t have to hide
- Participants may alter their behaviour

Question 10

What is a covert observation?

Answer 10

Observations made without participant knowledge
+ Participants behave more naturally
- Raises ethical issues