Observations Flashcards
What is an observation?
The researcher records details of an event without interfering with it
What is it called when the ppts are / are not aware they’re involved? Pros + cons?
Overt - ppts are aware
Pros: Ethical
Cons: Demand characteristics
Covert - ppts NOT aware
Pros: No demand characteristics
Cons: Unethical
What is it called when the setting is controlled / uncontrolled? Pros + cons?
Controlled - occurs in controlled setting
Pros: High internal validity
Cons: Low external validity
Naturalistic - occurs in natural setting
Pros: Maximum external validity
Cons: No internal validity
What is it called when the observer gets / doesn’t get involved? Pros + cons?
Participant - observer gets involved
Pros: Gains insight
Cons: Risk of bias
Non-participant - observer doesn’t get involved
Pros: No risk of bias
Cons: Lacks insight
What’re the two types of Observational Design? Pros + Cons?
Unstructured - record everything
Pros: Won’t miss anything
Cons: Time consuming + requires skill in deciding what to include
Structured - given a specific set of things to look out for (behavioural categories)
Pros: Simple and quick, easy to compare
Cons: Might miss stuff
What are behavioural categories?
A pre-determined list of behaviours to look out for during an observation, they must be:
Operationalised (measurable)
Mutually Exclusive (no one behaviour can count for more than one)
Exhaustive (cover all possibilities)
