Observation Flashcards
(47 cards)
What is a structured observation?
An observation in which the observer records how many times specific, pre-determined behaviours occur.
What are the strengths of a structured observation?
- Makes it easier to focus on relevant behaviours to your study (only have to record a few set behaviours).
- Gathers quantitative data which is easier to compare.
- Should make observers more consistent in recording behaviours (high inter-rater reliability).
What are the weaknesses of a structured observation?
- Any behaviours that are not in your pre-determined categorised are not recorded.
- Doesn’t collect qualitative data so lacks detail.
What is an example of a structured observation?
Bandura’s ‘bobo doll’ experiment
What is an unstructured observation?
An observation in which the observer continuously records behaviour, noting down everything that happens.
What are the strengths of an unstructured observation?
- No pre-determined categories therefore all behaviours are recorded.
- Collect qualitative data which is detailed.
What are the weaknesses of an unstructured observation?
- Observers may record different behaviours (low inter-rater reliability).
- May be difficult to record everything.
- Gathers qualitative data which is harder to analyse and compare.
What is an example of an unstructured observation?
Zimbardo et al’s Stanford Prison Experiment
What is a coding frame?
A tally chart that gets filled in during a structured observation.
What are behavioural categories?
The boxes relating to the different behaviours that the observer is looking for, found within a coding frame.
What is a naturalistic observation?
When the observation is carried out in a participant’s natural environment.
What are the strengths of a naturalistic observation?
- Natural behaviours are seen (higher ecological validity).
- Less chance of demand characteristics as participants are unlikely to know they are being observed.
What are the weaknesses of a naturalistic observation?
- Less control of extraneous variables.
- Harder to record behaviour (e.g. in distance, other people in the way, etc…).
- Harder / impossible to replicate.
What is an example of a naturalistic observation?
What is a controlled observation?
When the observation is carried out in conditions contrived by the researcher such as a labatory setting.
What are the strengths of a controlled observation?
- Fewer extraneous variables.
- Easier to record behaviour.
- Easier to replicate.
What are the weaknesses of a controlled observation?
- Lower ecological validity.
- Risk of demand characteristics if participants know what they are being observed on.
What is an example of a controlled observation?
What is a participant observation?
Where the researcher / observer is part of, or pretending to be part of, the group they are observing.
What are the strengths of a participant observation?
- Can possibly see behaviours not visible in a public setting.
- Can offer a deeper insight into behaviour and the reasons behind the actions seen.
What are the weaknesses of a participant observation?
- Can be difficult to record data without drawing attention to yourself within the group being observed.
- Unethical if they don’t know their group has been joined by someone there to observe and collect data on them.
What is an example of a participant observation?
What is a non-participant observation?
Where the researcher / observer is not part of the group they are observing and can look at it from the outside.
What are the strengths of a non-participant observation?
- Easier to make the data records (e.g. tally up frequency of event) as observing from outside the group.
- More ethical as observing within a public setting and unlikely to impact on the participants.
