Observations

Question 1

What are observational techniques

Answer 1

A way of seeing or listening to what people do without having to ask them.

Question 2

Are observations an experimental or non experimental method of investigation

Answer 2

-Observations are a non experimental method of investigation.
-There is no manipulation of variables.

Question 3

What are the types of observation

Answer 3

-Naturalistic -controlled
-Structured -unstructured
-Participant -Non participant
-Overt -Covert

Question 4

What is a naturalistic observation

Answer 4

-When behaviour is observed within an everyday situation/ environment

Question 5

What is a controlled observation

Answer 5

-One that takes place in an artificial setting where the researcher controls variables to ensure consistency and make the study easier to replicate.

Question 6

What is a participant observation

Answer 6

-One where the observer acts as part of the group being watched

Question 7

What is a non participant observation

Answer 7

-he experimenter des not become part if the group being observed, they watch from afar

Question 8

What is an overt observation

Answer 8

-One where participants are aware that they are being observed (open observation)

Question 9

What is a covert observation

Answer 9

-The participants are unaware that they are being observed. (Closed observation)

(No consent given)

Question 10

What is a structured observation

Answer 10

-When the researcher has a system that is used to record observed behaviour. (E.G a coding system)

Question 11

What is an unstructured observation

Answer 11

-The researcher has no set system to record and tally behaviour they observe. They record all relevant behaviour. (Behaviour that is studied may e unpredictable)

Question 12

What can results from an unstructured observation be used for

Answer 12

To create a coding system to use for further structured observations

Question 13

What is a coding system

Answer 13

-When behaviour is operationalised by being broken into different behavioural categories. It’s a list containing behavioural categories that is used to record and tally observed behaviour.

Question 14

What are behavioural categories

Answer 14

-Dividing a target behaviour into a sub set of specific and operationalised behaviours

Question 15

Why are sampling procedures used in observations when recording behaviour

Answer 15

-Sampling procedures are used in observations to make behaviour recording more focused and manageable, helping ensure the data is relevant, reliable, and consistent.

Question 16

Types of sampling procedures

Answer 16

-Time sampling
-Event sampling

Question 17

What is time sampling

Answer 17

How we record the data. Recording behaviours in a given time frame e.g noting what a target individual is doing every 30 seconds (or another time interval)

Question 18

What is event sampling

Answer 18

How we record the data. Counting the number of times a particular behaviour (‘the event’)occurs in a target individual or group

Question 19

What is an example of a coding system

Answer 19

The Facial Action Coding System (FACS).

Question 20

What is inter-observer reliability

Answer 20

An agreement between two or more observers when recording behaviour in an observation.

Question 21

At what percentage is an experiment considered to have a high inter observer reliability

Answer 21

80% +

Question 22

Why must there be 2 or more observers present during an observation

Answer 22

-To make data recording more unbiased, objective, and replicable

Question 23

Do observers have to be trained to use a coding system/ to conduct observations

Answer 23

YES, especially when establish inter observer reliability

Question 24

Strengths of participants observation

Answer 24

-High external validity: Observing people in natural settings makes findings more realistic and reflective of real-life behavior.

-Rich qualitative data: Provides detailed, in-depth insights into people’s thoughts, beliefs, and experiences.

-Builds rapport and trust: Gaining trust allows access to more honest and hidden behaviors, improving the quality of data.

-Holistic understanding: Helps researchers see both what people do and the reasons behind their actions within context.

-Flexible method: Allows researchers to adapt the study as it goes, following up on unexpected findings for deeper insight.

Question 25

Weaknesses of participant observation

Answer 25

-Lack of reliability: It’s difficult to repeat the study and get the same results because the observations are often unstructured and depend on the researcher’s interpretation. -Low generalisability: Findings are usually based on small, specific groups, so they may not apply to wider populations. -Researcher bias: The observer may become too involved or subjective, which can affect how they interpret what they see. -Ethical issues: Especially in covert observation, participants are unaware they are being studied, raising concerns about consent and privacy. -Time-consuming and demanding: It takes a long time to gain trust, understand the group, and collect meaningful data. -Going native: The researcher may become too emotionally involved with the group, losing objectivity.

Question 26

Strengths of a non participant observation

Answer 26

-Greater objectivity: The researcher stays separate from the group, reducing the risk of personal involvement or bias. -Easier to record data: Since the researcher is not actively involved, it’s easier to take notes or use recording equipment to capture behavior accurately. -Less risk of “going native”: There’s a lower chance the researcher will become too emotionally involved or lose objectivity. -More ethical transparency: In overt non-participant observation, participants know they are being observed, helping avoid deception and consent issues. -Useful for studying large groups or public behavior: The researcher can observe without disturbing the setting, making it ideal for studying people in public places or formal environments.

Question 27

Weaknesses of a non participant observation

Answer 27

-Less valid – Researcher may miss the deeper meanings behind behavior without direct involvement. -Hawthorne effect – People may change their behavior if they know they’re being watched. This leads to unreliablility -Lacks depth – Observer might not fully understand the group’s thoughts or experiences. Less qualitative data -Limited access – Some settings or behaviors may not be observable without participating. -Interpretation issues – Without context, actions might be misinterpreted.

Question 28

Strengths of a covert observation

Answer 28

-High validity – Participants behave naturally because they don’t know they’re being observed. -Reduces Hawthorne effect – No behavior change due to awareness of being studied. -Access to hidden groups – Useful for studying deviant or closed groups where openness is unlikely. -Authentic data – More genuine insight into everyday behavior and interactions.

Question 29

Weaknesses of a covert observation

Answer 29

-Ethical issues – No informed consent; deception and privacy concerns arise. -Risk to researcher – Especially in dangerous or deviant groups, the observer may be at personal risk. -Difficult to record data – Can’t openly take notes, so memory may be unreliable. Limited questioning – Can’t ask for clarification without revealing the research, which limits understanding.

Question 30

Strengths of overt observations

Answer 30

-Ethically sound – Informed consent is gained, avoiding deception. -Open note-taking – Researcher can take notes or record data openly and accurately. -Safer for researcher – There’s less personal risk compared to covert observation. -Can ask questions – Researcher may clarify meanings or follow up with participants.

Question 31

Weaknesses of overt observations

Answer 31

-Hawthorne effect – People may change their behavior because they know they’re being observed. -Less valid – Behavior might not be natural, reducing the authenticity of data. -Access issues – Some groups may not allow an outsider to observe them openly. -Researcher bias – Being visible may influence how people interact with the researcher.

Question 32

Strengths of a naturalistic observation

Answer 32

-High ecological validity – Behavior is studied in a real-life setting, making it more natural and realistic. -Authentic behavior – Participants are often unaware they’re being observed, so they act normally. -Useful for early research – Great for exploring topics before forming a hypothesis or experiment. -Can reveal unexpected findings – Observing real life may uncover patterns not considered before.

Question 33

Weaknesses of naturalistic observations

Answer 33

-Lack of control – Difficult to control variables, making it hard to establish cause and effect. -Observer bias – Interpretations may be subjective, especially in unstructured observation. -Ethical issues – If covert, consent and privacy may be violated. -Difficult to replicate – The natural setting makes it hard to repeat the study in the same way, reducing reliability.

Question 34

Strengths of a controlled observation

Answer 34

-High control – The researcher can control variables, allowing for clearer cause-and-effect relationships. -Replicability – The study can be easily repeated to check reliability. -Easier to analyze – Since variables are controlled, the data tends to be more straightforward to analyze. -High reliability – Consistent methods and procedures lead to more dependable results.

Question 35

Weaknesses of a controlled observation

Answer 35

-Low ecological validity – The artificial setting may not reflect real-life behavior, reducing the naturalness of the data. -Hawthorne effect – Participants may alter their behavior if they know they’re being observed in a controlled setting. -Limited scope – Controlled settings might not allow for the study of all variables or real-world complexity. -Researcher bias – The researcher’s presence and design may unintentionally influence the behavior being studied.

Question 36

Strengths of Structured observation

Answer 36

-Clear focus – Specific behaviors are pre-defined, making data collection focused and efficient. -High reliability – Standardized procedures allow for easy replication and consistency across different studies. -Easier data analysis – The structured nature allows for easier coding and statistical analysis of the data. -Reduces researcher bias – By focusing on specific behaviors, the researcher’s personal interpretation is less likely to influence the study.

Question 37

Weaknesses of structured observations

Answer 37

-Clear focus – Specific behaviors are pre-defined, making data collection focused and efficient. -High reliability – Standardized procedures allow for easy replication and consistency across different studies. -Easier data analysis – The structured nature allows for easier coding and statistical analysis of the data. -Reduces researcher bias – By focusing on specific behaviors, the researcher’s personal interpretation is less likely to influence the study.

Question 38

Strengths of unstructured observations

Answer 38

-High flexibility – The researcher can observe a wide range of behaviors without being restricted to predefined categories. -Rich, detailed data – It allows for the capture of unexpected or subtle behaviors that might be missed in structured observations. -Naturalistic behavior – Since the observer is not focusing on specific actions, it can provide a more holistic view of the situation. -Better for exploratory research – Great for new or complex topics where you don’t know what to expect in advance.

Question 39

Weaknesses of unstructured observations

Answer 39

-Low reliability – Since there’s no set structure, different researchers may observe and interpret the same situation differently, making replication difficult. -Observer bias – The researcher’s personal interpretation of the data may affect the findings. -Difficult to analyze – The large amount of data gathered may be difficult to organize and analyze systematically. -Limited focus – The lack of focus on specific behaviors can result in missing important patterns or trends.