Observational techniques

Question 1

Observational techniques? AO1

Answer 1

watching and recording people’s behaviour, observing people’s natural behaviour in their natural environment or a real world setting

Question 2

Observational techniques? AO3

Answer 2

-to study particular behaviour
-to study natural behaviour in natural setting ->realism
-can study behaviours that would otherwise to unethical to manipulate

Question 3

Observational techniques: how to gather

Answer 3

• visual recordings e.g videos,photograph
  -audio recording
  -note taking on the spot e.g using rating scales or coding categories

Question 4

Sampling procedures: ET: E

Answer 4

Event sampling!
counting number of times a specific event occurs in a target individual or individuals that is relevant to the research

Question 5

Sampling procedures: ET: T

Answer 5

Time sampling!
counting behaviours in a set time frame
-e.g recording what behaviour is being exhibited every 30 seconds

Question 6

Types of observation: CN: C AO1

Answer 6

Controlled observation!
-research observed from a contained environment e.g a lab
-standardised procedure according to pre-arranged plans
-e.g Ainsworth ‘The Strange Situation’

Question 7

Types of observation: CN: C AO3

Answer 7

S1: able to be replicated to check reliability, standardised procedure means repitition is possible
L1: low ecological validity, artificial (manipulated) environment where researcher records, potential outside interference from the researcher

Question 8

Types of observation: CN: N AO1

Answer 8

Naturalistic observation!
-record naturally occuring behaviour of your research subjects in natural, real-world setting
-‘people watching’ with a purpose

Question 9

Types of observation: CN: N AO3

Answer 9

S1: high ecological validity as real world behaviours are recorded
L1: Cannot be replicated to check reliability, as the researcher is not in control of variables.

Question 10

Type of observation: OCPN: O AO1+ AO3

Answer 10

Overt!
AO1: participant knows they are being observed
AO3: S: no ethical issues
L: Behaviour may not be natural (demand characteristics ‘please you’ ‘screw you’, or social desirability bias)

Question 11

Type of observation: OCPN: C AO1+ AO3

Answer 11

Covert!
AO1: Participants unaware they are being observed
AO3: S: high ecological validity
L: potential ethical issues

Question 12

Type of observation: OCPN: P AO1+ AO3

Answer 12

Participant!
AO1: researcher becomes actively involved in activities of the people being studied by participating e.g Zimbardo as prison warden in prison experiment.
AO3: S: high ecological validity as researcher more readily understands behaviour of participants
L: hard to record behaviour retrospectively - low internal validity

Question 13

Type of observation: OCPN: N AO1+ AO3

Answer 13

Non-participant!
AO1: researcher observes from a distance
AO3: S:observations made as they happen -> more reliable
L: meaning behind behaviour may be unknown despite accurate recording