Observation

Question 1

Overt Observation

Answer 1

Takes place where participant knows behaviour is being observed

Question 2

Covert Observation

Answer 2

Participants observed without knowledge

Question 3

Overt Strengths?

Answer 3

• More ethical/ participants are aware of behaviour (can consent and withdraw)

Question 4

Overt Weaknesses?

Answer 4

• Observer effects (change behaviour
• Biased samples

Question 5

Covert Strengths?

Answer 5

-Natural behaviour

• Reduces demand characteristics/ observer effects

Question 6

Covert Weaknesses?

Answer 6

• Difficult to record behaviour without suspicion
• Ethical issues / lack of consent/ cannot withdraw unaware behaviour is being recorded

Question 7

Structured Observations?

Answer 7

Predefined categories that observers look for and record for

• Uses coding frames allows quantitative data

Question 8

Unstructured Observations?

Answer 8

• Observers record any behaviour/ interests
• Qualitative descriptions of data

Question 9

Structured Strengths?

Answer 9

• Quantitative data- easy to analyse / compare
• More consistency in recording behaviours
• Easy to focus on relevant behaviours

Question 10

Structured Weaknesses?

Answer 10

• Only quantitative data lacks detail
• Behaviours in pre determined categories are not recorded

Question 11

Unstructured Strengths?

Answer 11

Provides rich, qualitative data, offering detailed insights into a wide range of behaviours in natural settings.

It allows researchers to capture unexpected behaviours that may not have been anticipated in a structured setup.

Question 12

Unstructured Weaknesses?

Answer 12

Data may be hard to analyse or replicate due to its qualitative and subjective nature.

There is a greater risk of observer bias, as recording relies heavily on interpretation and judgment.

Question 13

Behavioural Categories

Answer 13

Predefined actions to observe and tally.

Question 14

Coding Frame

Answer 14

A grid or table used to tally behaviours.

Question 15

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 15

Occurs in a real-world setting without interference.

Question 16

Controlled Observation

Answer 16

Takes place in a structured environment with set variables.

Question 17

Participant Observation

Answer 17

Observer takes part in the situation being studied.

Question 18

Non-participant Observation

Answer 18

Observer remains separate from those being observed.

Question 19

Event Sampling

Answer 19

Count of each time a specific behaviour occurs.

Question 20

Time Sampling

Answer 20

Recording behaviours at fixed time intervals.

Question 21

Observer Bias

Answer 21

Observer’s expectations affect what is recorded.

Question 22

Observer Effect

Answer 22

Participants alter behaviour when they know they’re being observed.

Question 23

Inter-rater Reliability

Answer 23

Agreement between multiple observers.

Question 24

Pie Charts:

Answer 24

Best for frequency/event sampling.

Question 25

Line Graphs

Answer 25

Best for time sampling across intervals

Question 26

Event Sampling Advantages:

Answer 26

Useful for infrequent behaviours. Provides rich, specific data.

Question 27

Event Sampling Disadvantages:

Answer 27

May miss other relevant behaviours. Difficult with too many behaviours occurring at once.

Question 28

Time sampling Advantages:

Answer 28

Easier to manage than continuous observation. Good for estimating time spent on behaviours.

Question 29

Time Sampling Disadvantage:

Answer 29

May miss important behaviours that occur outside the interval. Less detail than continuous recording.

Question 30

One-Zero Sampling:

Answer 30

Note if behaviour occurs during interval (regardless of frequency).

Question 31

Instantaneous Scan Sampling:

Answer 31

Note behaviour occurring at a specific instant.

Question 32

Predominant Activity Sampling:

Answer 32

Estimate the most frequent behaviour in an interval.

Question 33

Participant Observation Advantages?

Answer 33

Provides deeper insight into participants' behaviours; researchers may understand context better.

Question 34

Participant observation Disadvantages?

Answer 34

Risk of researcher bias; may lose objectivity.

Question 35

Non-Participant Observation Advantage?

Answer 35

More objective; less chance of researcher influencing behaviour.

Question 36

Non-Participant Observation Disadvantages?

Answer 36

May miss out on deeper understanding of context.

Question 37

Validity in Observations Covert Improves

Answer 37

Reduces demand characteristics

Question 38

Validity in Observations Natural Setting Improves

Answer 38

Increases ecological validity

Question 39

Validity in Observations Covert Problem

Answer 39

Ethical issues

Question 40

Validity in Observations Natural Setting Problem

Answer 40

Less control over variables

Question 41

Validity in Observations independent observer Improves

Answer 41

Reduces bias

Question 42

Validity in Observations independent observer Problems

Answer 42

Observer may still make mistakes

Question 43

Reliability in Observations Observer training

Answer 43

Improves inter-rater agreement Needs time and resources

Question 44

Reliability in Observations Clear coding frame

Answer 44

Ensures consistency Time-consuming to create

Question 45

Reliability in Observations Pilot study

Answer 45

Tests consistency before main study Requires extra time

Question 46

Reliability in Observations Check inter-rater reliability

Answer 46

Confirms consistent scoring Observers may still disagree

Question 47

Reliability in Observations Large sample

Answer 47

Ensures generalisability Harder to manage data