methods: observations Flashcards
(34 cards)
1
Q
Define observation
A
The close and detailed observation of a subjects behaviour in a particular environment, whereby variables are not manipulated.
2
Q
Give an example of quantitative data gathered from an observation
A
Tally counts of when behaviours are being shown
3
Q
Give an example of qualitative data fathered from an observation
A
- observer narratives of notes on the subjects behaviour
- audio or video recordings to look back on and analyse more closely
- continuous recordings where the observers record everything that happens i detail with a video camera
4
Q
List the two types of sampling
A
- event
- time
5
Q
Describe audio or video recordings
A
- These are to make notes in retrospect
- audio= quicker than making notes
- gathers a richer range of detail than notes- can ensure that no behaviour being studied is missed- so more valid
6
Q
Describe observer narratives
A
- notes are taken during the session
- then go back later and try to collect data
- and discern behaviour patterns from these notes
7
Q
Describe continuous notes
A
- where the observers record everything records everything that happens in detail
- usually with a video camera
- richer range of detail than notes
8
Q
Describe event sampling
A
- observer records each event that meets a predetermined list of behaviours
- specific behaviours are recorded everything tie they occur
- used when the behaviour of interest is relatively infrequent
- or when you want to capture all instances of a particular behaviour
- e.g. tallying every time the subject scratches their head
9
Q
Describe time sampling
A
- the researcher decides on a time interval (e.g. 10 seconds)
- then records what happens when the behaviour is occurring at each interval
- this can provide quantitative data for predetermined behaviours or quantitative through a narrative at these times
- good for busy environments- helps manage large volumes of data
- can give a representative snapshot of behaviour over time without needing to record everything`
- (behaviour of each ppt is recorded at fixed intervals)
10
Q
Two strengths of event sampling
A
- high validity as it provides quantitative data that can be statistically analysed and easily compared when reproduced
- high validity- by recording all occurrences of a specific behaviour, this method gives a fuller, more accurate picture- increasing validity
- also is less of a chance that a behaviour being studied is missed (so more accurate picture of behaviour)
11
Q
Two weaknesses of event sampling
A
- low reliability- if too many variables to tally, the researcher may gather inconsistent results in how many observed and how many there actually were
- some events may be missed or inconsistently recorded- especially if there is more than one thing happening at once
12
Q
Two strengths of time sampling
A
- increased reliability- as behaviours are recorded at set intervals, process is more structured and repeatable- reducing observer bias, increasing reliability (standardised procedure)
- less variables, only recording at specific intervals makes collection of data more accurate, less of a chance of mistakes etc
13
Q
Two weaknesses of time sampling
A
- low validity- may miss behaviours that are being studied- not an accurate, full picture of behaviour being studied
- unrepresentative sample- if the selected time intervals are not representative of the full session- the data may not reflect typical behaviour, lowering validity etc
14
Q
What are the two observational methods
A
- naturalistic (unstructured)
- controlled (structured)
15
Q
Describe structured/controlled observations
A
- can occur in a natural or lab setting
- focus of the observation is predetermined beforehand- produces quantitative data
- researcher often intervenes to cause an event- so can be recorded more easily, can establish cause and effect relationship
- high structured allows the researcher to decide on precise ways of observing the different categories
- semi-structured involves the researcher starting with an agenda of what will ne observed and how but collecting the data is done less systematically
- has been set up in a situation by the experimenter specifically for observation- so more easily recorded
- uses a standardised procedure
16
Q
strengths of a structured/controlled observation
A
- high reliability- due to having a standardised procedure, with high control over EV’s due to researcher manipulation of environment, meaning it can be replicated easily to test for consistency
- high validity- control over EV’s means that less chance of confounding variables, easier to establish cause and effect relationship
- avoids problems with consent/deception as often they take place in a public setting where people would expect to be seen by others and have permission/informed consent from the ppts as they are aware they are participating in this type of observation
- can still have high ecological validity if they take place in controlled natural setting- so also can still have high mundane realism
17
Q
weaknesses of a structured/controlled observation
A
- lower validity- demand characteristics are higher risk in this type of observation as ppts are aware they are being observed- therefore may changed how they would normally behave which lowers the validity of the data
- low ecological validity- if in an artificial environment
- risk of observer bias when collecting the data- this can occur when the researchers don’t have any guidelines on how to record the behaviour
18
Q
Describe a naturalistic/unstructured observation
A
- involves observing subjects in their natural environments
- does not involve any intervention and only looks at when the behaviours occur in a a natural setting
- limited manipulation of variables due to the lack of intervention
- can collect both qualitative and quantitative data
- often used in situations where conducting lab research is unrealistic or unpractical
- or would cause demand characteristics
19
Q
Strengths of a naturalistic/unstructured observation
A
- high ecological validity- ppts in their natural setting and environment so reflective of natural behaviour
- provides rich qualitative data which may be missed with intervention/manipulation of procedure
- often the only practical/ethical way of carrying out the research due to the sensitive nature of the study or setting e.g. antisocial behaviour that can’t be created
- high validity- lack of demand characteristics due to not aware they are participating
- avoids problems with consent and deception as often this type of observation takes place in a public setting- where people would be expected to be seen by others
20
Q
Weakness of naturalistic/unstructured experiments
A
- low reliability- no standardised procedure, lack of control results in inability to replicate
- cannot produce cause and effect due to the lack of control over the setting-confounding variables present
- ethical issues of invasion of privacy - unaware they are being observed and having their behaviour recorded
- risk of observer (subjective) bias when collecting the data- don’t have any guidelines on how to record the behaviour
21
Q
State the two types of observational design
A
- overt observation
- covert observation
22
Q
Describe an overt observation
A
- the researcher is open about their intentions to observe subjects behaviours
- information they are being observed is disclosed to them
- ppts have given their permission for their behaviour to be observed- informed consent
- allow open note taking and the use of equipment such as video recordings
23
Q
Describe covert observations
A
- subjects in the observation do not know that they are being studied
- conducted in public settings
- the researcher is undercover (may pose as a subject)
- researcher immerses the self in a community they are studying
- lack of informed consent
24
Q
Strengths of an overt observation
A
- high validity due to it being easier to record data at the point of it happening - so less likely to miss things, more accurate picture of behaviour
- high ethical considerations- informed consent, know they are being studied so have given informed consent and have the knowledge of the right to withdraw
25
Weaknesses of an overt observation
* low validity- participants know they are being studied so increases the risk of demand characteristics, reducing the validity of the data gathered, not an accurate representation of natural behaviour
* low validity in observer bias in seeing what they want/expect to see
26
Strengths of a covert observation
* high internal validity- not risk of demand characteristics so can easily establish cause and effect relationship
* it can be used where people may not be prepared to cooperate with the experimenter- so can obtain results from a wider range of people within society- increasing generalisability
27
Weaknesses of a covert observations
* ethical issues due to not making the ppts aware that they are being observed so no informed consent gained- compromising their right to withdraw
* low reliability due to it being heard for the researcher to not every behaviour- neee to not draw attention and remain undetected, so there may be retrospective inconsistencies, lack of a standardised procedure in how research is carried out.
28
Two types of data collection
* participant
* non-participant
29
Describe a participant observation
* researcher is involved with the setting and activities that are being observed
* becomes part of the sample
* in order to gain a better insight into a community
* actively takes part in fe environment or activity
30
Describe a non-participant observation
* the observer doesn’t participate in the events or the activities being studied
* researcher has no interaction
* instead watches from a distance or uses a one way mirror
31
Strengths of a participant observation
* high validity- the researcher us involved in the events and so gathers inside, detailed information
* high validity as being part of the group allows the researcher to interpret behaviour in the context
32
Weaknesses of participant observations
* researcher bias- the researcher may become too involved within the behaviour. So there is a loss of objectivity, researcher nay also influence the events and bias it towards things teabag they want to happen
* low validity- it can be hard to record data discreetly or keep track of everything while participating so there may be inconsistencies within data
* ethical issues- often involving deceiving the ppts of the researchers true intentions and identity therefore not gaining in informed consent, potentially causing psychological distress.
33
Strengths of a non-participant observation
* high reliability- easier to record data as it occurs when not being involved in the event to
* reduces observer bias- so high validity as researcher not involved in the events so can’t influence situations.
34
Weaknesses of a non-participant observation
* low validity- lacks the depth of detail that the ppt observations can gain- observe subjects outside the events so may miss meaning behind certain behaviours or can’t analyse them in the context of events
* hard to see behaviours in detail.
