Observations

Question 1

Observation

Answer 1

A non experimental technique, the researcher watches a records natural behaviour of ppts without manipulation of the IV

Question 2

Controlled observation

Answer 2

Aspects of environment are controlled, in an attempt to give ppts the same experience often conducted in a lab

Question 3

Strength of controlled observations

Answer 3

• reduces extraneous variables, by controlling the environment and giving the same experience
• results are reliable as using same standardised procedure

Question 4

Weaknesses of controlled observation

Answer 4

• artificial, may result in unnatural behaviour, leads to demand characteristics
• lacks ecological validity

Question 5

Define naturalistic observations

Answer 5

Takes pace in the real world i places ppts are likely to spend their time eg school

Question 6

Strengths of naturalist observations

Answer 6

• high realism as ppt are more likely to more natural behaviour
• high ecological validity, able to generalise to other situations
• reduces demand characteristics

Question 7

Weaknesses of naturalistic observations

Answer 7

• uncontrolled extraneous variables may be responsible for behaviour, lowering internal validity

Question 8

Define overt observations

Answer 8

Ppts can see the researcher an are aware their behaviour is being observed

Question 9

Strengths of overt observations

Answer 9

• ethical, informed consent as ppts agree to take part in research

Question 10

Weakness of overt characteristics

Answer 10

• demand characteristics,tr show behaviour researcher wants to see
• social desirability bias, acting to look good for researcher

Question 11

Covert observation

Answer 11

Ppts not aware they are being observed

Question 12

Strengths of covert observations

Answer 12

• Reduces demand characteristics and social desirability bias

Question 13

Weakness of covert observations

Answer 13

Unethical - ppts can’t give informed consent

Question 14

Participants observations

Answer 14

Researcher joins a group being observed and takes part

Question 15

Strengths of ppts observation

Answer 15

• build rappor, more trust leads to ppts behaving more naturally

Question 16

Weakness of ppts observations

Answer 16

• researcher can loose objectivity, intro actions of data can be biased and they only see from ppts perspective, going native

Question 17

Non participant observations

Answer 17

Reasercher is separate from ppts, is not part of the group

Question 18

Strengths of non ppts observations

Answer 18

• researcher more likely to remain objective in interpretation of the ppts behaviour

Question 19

Weaknesses of non ppt observations

Answer 19

Due to lack of trust and rappor, ppts may not behave naturally reduces vaildity

Question 20

Define observation design

Answer 20

Choice of behaviours and how they are measured

Question 21

Operationalised behavioural categories

Answer 21

Behaviours must be clearly identifiable and measurable

Question 22

How do researchers conduct structured observatiosn

Answer 22

Time sampling and event sampling

Question 23

Time sampling

Answer 23

Researcher records all relevant behaviour at set points

Question 24

Strengths of time sampling

Answer 24

More flexibility to be able to record unexpected types of behaviour

Question 25

Weakness of time sampling

Answer 25

Can miss behaviour outside of recording periods

Question 26

Event sampling

Answer 26

Researcher records/tallies every time behaviour occurs from lit of behavioural categories

Question 27

Strengths of event sampling

Answer 27

- as long as behaviour is on the list of behavioural categories it will be recored at any point of observation

Question 28

Weakness of event sampling

Answer 28

May miss relevant behaviour that is not on list of behavioural categories

Question 29

How does a researcher assess reliability of observation

Answer 29

- inter observer reliability

Question 30

Define inter observe reliability

Answer 30

2 or more trained observes conduct the same observation

Question 31

Describe inter observe reliability

Answer 31

1. Agee and use the same checklist/tally of operationalised categories 2. Observation is conducted separately by each observer 3. Compare the 2 data set produced 4. A correlation yeast can assess the strength of the relationship between two data set 5. A correlation of 0.8 and stronger is accepted

Question 32

Unstructured observation

Answer 32

Observer records all behaviour they observe

Question 33

Structure interview

Answer 33

Particular behaviour are looked for and record when they occur