Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psych: Content of Research Methods (Component 01) > Observation > Flashcards

Observation Flashcards

1
Q

(Observation) Define the ‘research aim’.

A

The concept that the researcher wants o investigates. Usually fairly specific as it will reflect what the researcher is directing wanting to find out.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

(Observation) Define the ‘research question’.

A

Must actually be a question, with a ‘?’ at the end.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

(Observation) What are the 5 key questions that observation can be seen as centring on?

A

Who, what, where, when and how.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

(Observation) Why do researchers carrying out observations have to keep in mind of other crucial issues?

A

To ensure that results are valid and reliable, and stay within the ethical guidelines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

(Observation) What are the 2 categories that observations can be divided into, differing in how focused hey are on specific behaviours.

A

Unstructured and structured.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

(Observation) Describe an unstructured observation.

A

Relatively non-focused, generating descriptions (qualitative data) of a range of behaviours.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

(Observation) Describe an structured observation.

A

The observation of behaviour is guided by the use of specific behavioural categorised, defined prior to the observation though the development of a ‘coding frame’. Can collect quantitative data.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

(Observation) What does the use of a coding frame allow?

A

The observer to focus on specific behavioural; events and the frequency with which they occur.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

(Observation) What makes results valid?

A

Results are valid in observation if participants act naturally in front of observers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

(Observation) What 2 conditions cause participants to act naturally, regarding validity?

A

1) Observations are covert.
2 They are in a natural environment (naturalistic observation).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

(Observation) What do observers need to do to ensure the results are valid?

A

Need to be able to see everything and record results accurately.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

(Observation) What makes results reliable?

A

Results are consistent if different observers agree and note down the same results (inter-rater reliability).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

(Observation) What 3 conditions cause observers to more likely agree, regarding reliability?

A

1) Coding frame used is clear and not vague.
2) Observers have been trained in what to count as a behaviour and what to ignore.
3) A “practice” observation (pilot study) has been done beforehand.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

(Observation) How can you check for consistent results, regarding reliability?

A

1) Have a large group of people to observe.
2) Multiple observers used to compare results.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

(Observation) What are the 7 guidelines for developing a coding frame?

A

Focus, utility, operational definition, objectivity, context independence, exhaustive, and mutually exclusive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘focus’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

Concentrate on behaviours that are relevant to your hypothesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘utility’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

Consider whether, having recorded the information, it will be possible to use it. If not, either change your scheme if the item is essential or leave it out if not.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘operational definition’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

Ensure that it is possible from your definition to decide which behaviours do, and do not, fall into the category.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘objectivity’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

Your definition should not require the observer to make inferences about the participants, the behaviour should be explicit; codes actions rather than states.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘context independence’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

Where possible, behavioural codes should be consistent over different contexts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘exhaustive’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

Codes should cover all possible behaviours, this may necessitate a ‘not recorded’ or ‘waste basket’ category.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

(Observation) Define the guideline of ‘mutually exclusive’ regarding the development of a coding frame.

A

At any time the recording of one code should preclude the need to record another simultaneously. This may however be impractical or inappropriate in some situations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of structured observation?

A
  • Easy to compare results/different behavioural categories (quantitative data).
  • Less likely to miss behaviours you want to focus on.
  • Data can be easily seen.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of structured observation?

A
  • No extra information.
  • Miss out on other behaviours outside of the coding frame (skewed data).
25
Q

(Observation) What are the examples of structured observation?

A

Bandura’s ‘bobo doll’ experiment.

26
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of unstructured observation?

A
  • Generates qualitative data (detailed responses).
  • Less likely to miss behaviours.
27
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of unstructured observation?

A
  • Cannot compare behaviours (qualitative data).
  • Takes longer.
  • Lots to record, so could miss.
  • Data may be too dense/detailed to reveal anything.
  • Difficult to summarise/compare/present data.
28
Q

(Observation) What are the examples of unstructured observation?

A

Zimbardo et al’s Stanford Prison experiment (SPE).

29
Q

(Observation) Define a naturalistic observation.

A

Carried out in the participant’s natural environment.

30
Q

(Observation) Define a controlled observation.

A

Carried out in conditions contrived by the researcher, such as a lab setting.

31
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of naturalistic observation?

A
  • High ecological validity (natural behaviour).
32
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of naturalistic observation?

A
  • Harder to control/replication.
  • Extraneous variables could affect results.
33
Q

(Observation) What is an example of naturalistic observation?

A

Piliavin et al.

34
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of controlled observation?

A
  • Controlled/can be replicated.
35
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of controlled observation?

A
  • Low ecological validity (study is somewhat artificial).
36
Q

(Observation) What are examples of controlled observation?

A

Milgram and Bandura.

37
Q

(Observation) What extra ethical consideration only relates to observation?

A

Privacy - unless those observed give their consent, observational research is only acceptable in public situations were those observed would expect to be observed by strangers.

38
Q

(Observation) Define ‘participant observation’.

A

The researcher is involved with those that are being observed.

39
Q

(Observation) Define ‘non-participant observation’.

A

The researcher could try to stand apart from what they are observing and look at it from the ‘outside’.

40
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of participant observation?

A
  • Good vantage point for observations.
  • You get an insight to the experience as a ‘insider’.
  • Gather detailed information.
41
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of participant observation?

A
  • Your presence may change the course of event you’re observing.
  • You may become too involved in the group to really objective about your observations.
42
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of non-participant observation?

A
  • You may remain more object about what is being observed.
43
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of non-participant observation?

A
  • May not have a good level of insight into behaviour.
44
Q

(Observation) What are covert (undisclosed) observations?

A

When the participants are unaware that they’re being observed.

45
Q

(Observation) What are overt (disclosed) observations?

A

The participants know they are being observed.

46
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of covert observation?

A
  • No demand characteristics/social desirability.
  • Sampling ‘real’ behaviour, uncontaminated by subject reactivity.
47
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of covert observation?

A
  • Illegal/unethical.
48
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of overt observation?

A

Ethical/ legal.

49
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of overt observation?

A
  • Demand characteristics.
  • Social desirability bias.
50
Q

(Observation) What is event sampling?

A

The act of recording is triggered by the occurrence of the specific behaviours itself.

51
Q

(Observation) What is time sampling?

A

The act of recording is triggered by the ending of a set time interval - e.g. recording what happens every 5 mins for an hour.

52
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of event sampling?

A
  • Less likely to miss observations
  • Includes more data
  • Includes all data
53
Q

(Observation) What are the disadvantages of event sampling?

A
  • Time consuming/boring, so may miss observations (making the results not valid).
54
Q

(Observation) What are the advantages of time sampling?

A
  • Less time consuming.
  • Observe how behaviour changes over longer periods of time.
55
Q

(Observation) What is a disadvantage of time sampling?

A
  • You may miss recording between intervals.
56
Q

(Observation) State 2 means of presenting data.

A

Pie charts and line graphs.

57
Q

(Observation) Explain researcher/observer bias.

A

Could occur if the observer has a particular expectation of what they are likely to see during the observational period; they could then be more likely to record data in the way they expect (albeit subconsciously).

58
Q

(Observations) Explain the researcher/observer effect.

A

If the people being observed are aware of the observer watching them then it may result in the participants changing their behaviour and thus the data recorded not being a truly accurate representation of what individuals would do in the given situation.

Psych: Content of Research Methods (Component 01) (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions