observations

Question 1

types of observations?

Answer 1

• covert
• overt
• participant
• non-participant
• controlled
• natural

Question 2

what is a controlled observation?

Answer 2

• studying behaviour in controlled and structured environment.
• specific conditions, variables and procedures to systematically observe and measure behaviour

Question 3

what are strengths of controlled observations?

Answer 3

• easily replicated by using same observation schedule
• data obtained is easier and quicker to analyse as quantitative
• less time consuming than natural

Question 4

whats a limitation of a controlled oberservation?

Answer 4

• increase likelihood of demand characteristics

Question 5

what is a natural observation?

Answer 5

• researcher studies behaviour in natural setting without intervention/manipulation
• observing and recording behaviour as occurs naturally. insight to real life

Question 6

what is a strength of natural observations?

Answer 6

• insight into real life behaviours- high ecological validity= generalise

Question 7

what are limitations of natural observations?

Answer 7

• too much to record and recorded might not be most important
• cannot be controlled + replicated - lacks reliability

Question 8

what is a participant observation?

Answer 8

• covert or overt
• experimenter joined in the study- p’s are either unaware or aware

Question 9

strength of participant observation?

Answer 9

• more detail since involvement

Question 10

limitations of participant observations?

Answer 10

• difficult to get time/privacy for recordings= must wait till alone and rely on memory
• affect objectivity (subjective)

Question 11

what is an overt observation?

Answer 11

• participants are aware their behaviour is being observed

Question 12

whats a strength of an overt observation?

Answer 12

• consent= ethical

Question 13

whats a limitation of a covert observation?

Answer 13

• demand characteristics (social desirability)

Question 14

what is a covert observation?

Answer 14

• p’s unaware their behaviour is being observed

Question 15

strength of covert observation?

Answer 15

• natural behaviours as dont know being observed

Question 16

limitations of covert observations?

Answer 16

• ethical issues- consent
• hard to write things down without giving away

Question 17

what is a non-participant observation?

Answer 17

researchers remain outside of the group whose behaviour they are observing

Question 18

strength of a non-participant observation?

Answer 18

• more objective as not part of group

Question 19

limitation of non-participant observation?

Answer 19

• may not gain as much info/ miss behaviours

Question 20

what is time sampling? + strength/limitation

Answer 20

recording behaviours in given time frame

• reduces number of observations made
• unrepresentative of observations as a whole

Question 21

what is event sampling? + strength/limitation

Answer 21

recording number of times certain behaviour occurs

• useful if behaviour doesnt happen frequently so could be missed using time sampling
• too many observations happen at once its more difficult to record everything

Question 22

what should behaviour categories be like?

Answer 22

• should not overlap (eg smiling/grinning difficult to tell diff)
• be observable
• be precise
• cover all possible behaviours

Question 23

what is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 23

• where single observers may miss important details or only notice events that confirm their hypothesis
• extent to which 2 or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in same way

Question 24

why would someone have inter-observer reliability?

Answer 24

makes more objective and unbias

Question 25

how do you check for inter-observer reliability?

Answer 25

- familiar with behav categories - observe same behaviours at same time in small scale pilot study - compare data + discuss differences