Observation

Question 1

What is a naturalistic observation

Answer 1

An observation carried out in the ps natural environment

Question 2

Strengths of a naturalistic observation

Answer 2

Higher ecological validity. Allows you to record unexpected behaviours.

Question 3

Weaknesses of naturalistic observation

Answer 3

Lack of control over extraneous variables (less internal validity). Harder to record behaviour as view may be obstructed

Question 4

What is a controlled observation

Answer 4

When observation is carried out in conditions contrived by the researcher such as a lab setting

Question 5

Strengths of controlled observation

Answer 5

Less extraneous variables (increases internal validity). Easier to record behaviour/less obstruction. Easier to replicate so higher reliability

Question 6

Weaknesses of controlled observation

Answer 6

Low EV, demand characteristics and social desirability may occur if they know they are being monitored (lowers internal validity)

Question 7

Strengths of p observation

Answer 7

Can see behaviours not visible in a public setting. Can offer a deeper insight into behaviour and the reasons behind the actions seen

Question 8

Weaknesses of p observation

Answer 8

Unethical If don’t know their group has been joined by someone observing the,. Can be difficult to record data without drawing attention to yourself

Question 9

Strengths of non p observation

Answer 9

Easier to make the data record as observing from outside the group. More ethical as observing in a public setting so unlikely to impact the ps

Question 10

Weaknesses of non p observation

Answer 10

Could make incorrect assumptions about behaviour and the reasons behind. Lacks insight into behaviours not happening in a public setting

Question 11

Strengths of covert observation

Answer 11

No demand characteristics. Can observe easily in a range of places as no consent is being gained

Question 12

Weaknesses of covert observation

Answer 12

Less ethical as no consent and they don’t know they are being watched. Can be difficult to record data without drawing attention to yourself as trying to not be obvious.

Question 13

Strengths of overt observation

Answer 13

Ethical as they know they are being watched and data is being collected. Easier to record data as can be open in tallying behaviours as they occur

Question 14

Weaknesses of overt observation

Answer 14

Risk of ps changing their behaviour as they know they are being observed. Limited generalisability by who would agree to be observed

Question 15

Difference between structured and unstructured observation

Answer 15

Structures is when data is collected in a structured manner by using behavioural categories and coding frames (produces quantitative data). For unstructured,no coding frames or behaviour categories are used and all observed behaviours are recorded (known as continuous observation) non focused and generate qualitative data

Question 16

Strengths of structured observation

Answer 16

Easier to use frames as only need to focus on relevant sets of behaviour and saves time. Easy to establish inter rated reliability as multiple observers can compare observations

Question 17

Weaknesses of structured observation

Answer 17

Behavioural categories are open to interpretation. Some key behaviours may be missed because they were not in the coding frame

Question 18

Strengths of unstructured observation

Answer 18

Useful if behaviours of interest do not occur very often pr not sure what to record data on. Can record unexpected behaviours. Can be applied to wider population as all behaviours noted

Question 19

Weaknesses of unstructured observation

Answer 19

Lots of data to record. Can get tired or bored

Question 20

The difference between time and event sampling

Answer 20

Event is when you record when a specific behaviour occurs and time is when you record at a set time interval the behaviours you see

Question 21

What are the examples of time sampling

Answer 21

One zero: during each time interval (e.g every 5 mins for an hour) a record is made of the chosen behaviour occurs at all no further record made if behaviour happens again. Instantaneous scan sampling! No record made until end of time interval then record is made of any behaviours occurring. Predominant activity sampling: observation is continuous and an estimate of activity that occupied most of the time interval

Question 22

Advantages of event sampling

Answer 22

Better for recording behaviours that are not frequent. All behaviours are recorded (nothing is missed)

Question 23

Disadvantages of event sampling

Answer 23

Difficult to record all behaviours if there’s a lot happening. Doesn’t tell you when behaviours occurred/how changed over time. Time consuming and difficult to keep concentration over a long period of time

Question 24

Strengths of time sampling

Answer 24

Can see when behaviours occur and if it changes over the time period. Doesn’t require observer to concentrate for a long time period

Question 25

Weaknesses of time sampling

Answer 25

Data may not be fully representative of what occurred. Can miss unexpected/ interesting behaviours between time periods

Question 26

What is a coding frame

Answer 26

Used for structured observations to systematically record behaviour. Behaviours must be operationalised, relevant and objective, a ‘not recorded category?’ Code visible behaviour not stars. Draw out a table with the behaviours (5 ish) and room for tally

Question 27

Observations we did in class

Answer 27

Observation of students diff in males and females using phones in corridor (consent with poster, non P, had coding frame and used event but is was hard to record as lots going on, cctv footage of abbey road in London (non P, event?, in public), observed children playing together and the behaviours in a park (time sampling, . Also observation of students v teachers parking, behaviour in free periods

Question 28

What does inter rated reliability refer to

Answer 28

The extent to which 2 or more observers record the same behaviour in an observation

Question 29

S and W of using observation

Answer 29

Strength: can gain true/valid data surrounding behaviour compared to self report where they may lie/ maybe unconsciously weakness: it is easy to miss behaviours or interpret them wrong or observed bias