Observations Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is a controlled observation?
Condition are manipulated by researcher and takes place in lab type setting
What is a strength of controlled observation?
High reliability as environment is controlled and standardised so can be easily repeated to check for consistent findings so more respect from professionals and public.
Weakness of controlled observations? (2)
1) Demand characteristics, low being watched, change behaviour to help or hinder based on clues
2) Lacks ecological validity, controlled setting, not reflect real life, difficult to generalise, lowering external validity
What is naturalistic observation?
Watching natural behaviour in natural environment where target behaviour would usually occur. No manipulation of variables
Strengths of natural? (2)
1) High ecological validity, natural setting, easier to generalise, increasing external validity
2) Less demand characteristics, less likely to know watched, unlikely to change behaviour leads likely to help or hinder, increasing internal validity
Weakness of natural? (2)
1) Ethical issues, lack of informed consent, not aware of observation in natural setting, wish to withdraw
2) Low reliability, natural environment, difficult to replicate in same conditions for consistent results
Define overt observation
Aware they’re being observed so aware of the purpose of the study and observer is clearly visible
Strength of overt
1) Ethically appropriate, know observed, consent
Weakness of overt
1) Demand characteristics, know watched, change behaviour, help or hinder, clues, lower internal
What is covert?
Without knowledge or awareness of participants. observed hidden behind camera or two way mirror. Observer may become part of group
Strength of overt?
1) Demand characteristics, less likely to know they’re watched, unlikely to change natural behaviour to help or hinder based on clues lowering internal validity
Weakness of overt?
Ethical issues, lack of informed consent, not know watched, invasion of privacy. When aware become upset and withdraw
Define participant observation
Researcher involved in group. Data collected while being part of group
Strength of participant
In depth understanding, not miss important aspects e.g. feelings and motivations, increase internal validity
Weakness of participant
Researcher bias, part of group, decreases objectivity as researchers own thoughts affects observations, lowering internal validity
Define non-partipant
Not involved in the group. Data collected from distance e.g. video camera
Strength of non-participant
Reduced researcher bias, not apart, increases objectivity as own thoughts are less likely to impact observation, increasing internal validity
Weakness of non-participant
Less likely in-depth, not part, miss feelings and observations, lowering internal validity
How to design an observation?
1) Decide on behaviour to be observed
2) Decide location (control or natural?), how long observation and when observation
3) Sampling methods and why? (stratified or time)
4) Covert or overt and why
5) Ppt or non ppt why?
6) Behaviour categories
7) Inter rater reliability
8) Recording data
AO1: Time sampling
Tallying at set intervals. Only record behaviour during that time interval and ignore all other behaviour
Strength of time sampling
Reduces time spent observing, as only at intervals
Weakness of time sampling
Not representative, only intervals
What is event sampling?
Decide on behaviour categories, record every time it happens within a period of time.
Strength of event sampling
Useful for infrequent behaviour, watched over a period of time, les sleekly to miss
