observational method Flashcards
What is a participant observation? Strength? Weakness?
-Observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed
-allows insight into the situation being observed
-less objectivity
What is event sampling in observation?
An observational technique in which a count is kept of the number of times a certain behaviour occurs.
What is a naturalistic observation? Strength? Weakness?
-An observation carried out in an everyday setting, in which the investigator does not interfere in any way but merely observes the behaviour(s) in question
-high external validity
-lack of control makes replication difficult
What is a structured observation?
-The use of systems such as behavioural categories and sampling procedures to organise an observation
What is time sampling in an observation?
An observational technique in which the observer records behaviours at regular intervals, e.g. every 20 seconds.
What is an overt observation? Strength? Weakness?
-Observational studies where participants are aware that their behaviour is being studied.
-allows informed consent to be collected
-demand characteristics
What is a non participant observation? Strength? Weakness?
- The observer is separate from the people being observed.
-allows the researcher to be more objective
-less insight
What are behavioural categories?
A way of operationalising behaviour by defining specific, objective, mutually exclusive observable components.
What is a controlled observation? Strengths Weaknesses?
- A form of investigation in which behaviour is observed but under conditions where certain variables have been organised by the researcher.
-can observe participants responses to specific situations
-less generalisable
What is a covert observation? Strengths Weaknesses?
- Observing people without their knowledge.
-should mean that observed behaviour is natural
-unethical as no informed consent
