(No: Observational designs &) types of observations

Question 1

what are the types of obesrvations

Answer 1

• naturalistic/ controlled
• covert/ overt
• participant/ non-participant

Question 2

define naturalistic observation

Answer 2

watching and recording behaviour in a setting within which it would normally occur

Question 3

define controlled observation

Answer 3

watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment i.e. one where the variables are managed

Question 4

Evaluate naturalistic observations

Answer 4

• high external validity
• low replication
• presence of uncontrolled variables

Question 5

evaluate controlled observations

Answer 5

• lower external validity
• higher ability to replicate
• fewer extraneous variables

Question 6

define covert observations

Answer 6

behaviour is watched and recorded without the participants knowledge or consent

Question 7

define overt observation

Answer 7

behaviour is watched and recorded with the participants knowledge and consent

Question 8

evaluate covert observations

Answer 8

• no demand characteristics
• ethical issues of consent

Question 9

evaluate overt observations

Answer 9

• more ethically acceptable
• reduction in validity due to demand characteristics

Question 10

define participant observation

Answer 10

The researcher becomes a member of the group who’s behaviour they are watching and recording

Question 11

define non-participant observation

Answer 11

the researcher remains outside the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording

Question 12

Evaluate participant and non participant observations

Answer 12

• participation leads to a greater insight into the population being studied however it leads to a decrease in objectivity

Question 13

What are the key characteristics of behaviour catagories

Answer 13

they must be observable, measurable, and self-evident

Question 14

define behavioural catagories

Answer 14

when a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable

Question 15

define event sampling

Answer 15

a target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs

Question 16

define time sampling

Answer 16

A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame.

Question 17

evaluate time and event sampling

Answer 17

• Event sampling is useful when the target behaviour or event happens infrequently and could be missed if time sampling was used.
• If the specified event is too complex the observer may overlook important details if using event sampling.
• Time sampling is effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made. However the instances when behaviour is sampled may be unrepresentative.