Research Methods- Observation

Question 1

Observation:

Answer 1

A non-experimental technique, the researcher watches and records spontaneous/ natural behaviour of participants without manipulating levels of IV.

Question 2

Controlled observation

Answer 2

Aspects of the environment are controlled, in an attempt to give participants the same experience. This is often conducted in a laboratory setting.

Question 3

Was observation method used for
Airworth
Zimbardo
Milgram

Answer 3

As the observation method requires the researcher to not manipulate levels of the independent variable (IV) the classic research by Ainsworth, Zimbardo and Milgram can be thought of as controlled observations. As in each of these cases, there was no variation in IV.

Question 4

Was the intersection method used for Bandura’s research?

Answer 4

In Bandura’s research, there were levels of IV, (observing aggressive adults or not) so it was an experiment, however using observational techniques for data collection.

Question 5

Evaluation
Observation
✅

Answer 5

• Controlling the environment and giving the same experience reduces the likelihood that extraneous variables are responsible for observed behaviour.

• Results are likely to be reliable as using the same standardised procedures.

Question 6

Evaluation
Observation
❌

Answer 6

• The artificiality of the observational environment may result in unnatural behaviour, not like behaviour shown in real-world situations.

Question 7

Naturalistic observation

Answer 7

Takes place in the “real world” places the participants are likely to spend their time such as school, work or in their own homes.

Question 8

Naturalistic observation
Evaluation
✅

Answer 8

• High realism, participants are likely ta show more naturalistic behaviour.

• External validity, behaviour is more likely to be generalisable to other situation:

Question 9

Naturalistic observation
Evaluation
❌

Answer 9

• Uncontrolled extraneous variables may be responsible for the behaviour Ouserved resulting in lower internal validity.

Question 10

Overt observation:

Answer 10

the participants can see the researcher, and are aware their behaviour is being observed as part of an observational study.

Question 11

Overt observation
Evaluation
✅

Answer 11

Ethical as the principle of informed consent means participants should agree to take part in research and they should know what they are signing up for.

Question 12

Overt observation
Evaluation
❌

Answer 12

Demand characteristics are likely, if the participants know they are being observed they may try to show behaviour that they think the researcher wants to see. Or social desirability bias may be a factor, acting to “look good”

Question 13

Covert observation:

Answer 13

The participants are not aware they are being observed and they cant see someone taking notes/recordings. (the observer may be physically present)

Question 14

Covert observation
Evaluation
✅

Answer 14

As participants are unaware they are being observed they are far more likely to show naturalistic behaviour free from demand characteristics or social desirability bias.

Question 15

Covert observation
Evaluation
❌

Answer 15

More unethical as by definition the participants cannot give informed consent.

Question 16

Participant observation:

Answer 16

The researcher joins the group being observed and takes part in the group’s activities and conversations.

Question 17

Participant observation
Evaluation
✅

Answer 17

By taking part the researcher may build rapport, more trust and comfort could lead to the participants behaving more naturally, and disclosing more.

Question 18

Participant observation
Evaluation
❌

Answer 18

Researchers can lose objectivity, interpretation of behaviour is biased, seeing only from the participants perspective. Sometimes termed “going native”.

Question 19

Non participant observation:

Answer 19

The researcher is separate from the participants recoding observations without taking part in the groups activities.

Question 20

Non participant observation
Evaluation
✅

Answer 20

The researcher is more likely to remain objective in their interpretation of the participant’s behaviour.

Question 21

Non participant observation
Evaluation
❌

Answer 21

• Due to lack of trust/rapport with the participants the researcher misses out on important insights/participants don’t behave naturally.

Question 22

Operationalised behavioural categories:

Answer 22

The behaviours need to be clearly
identifiable and measurable.

E.g. aggression = number of pushes, punches and kicks.

Question 23

Time sampling:

Answer 23

researcher records all relevant behaviour at set points. E.g. everything for 15 seconds, every 10 mins over a 1-hour observation.

Question 24

Evaluation
Operationalised behavioural categories
✅

Answer 24

More flexibility to be able to record unexpected types of behaviour.

Question 25

Evaluation
Operationalised behavioural categories
❌

Answer 25

• Can miss behaviour that happens outside of the recording periods.

Question 26

Event sampling:

Answer 26

Researcher records/ tallies every time a behaviour occurs from the list of operationalised behavioural categories.

Question 27

Event sampling
Evaluation
✅

Answer 27

• As long as the behaviour has been included in the list of behavioural categories it should be recorded if it happens at any stage of the observation.

Question 28

Event sampling
Evaluation
❌

Answer 28

• May miss relevant behaviour that isn’t on the list of behavioural categories.

Question 29

Assessing reliability:

Answer 29

Even with clear behavioural categories interpreting observed behaviour can be affected by bias, researchers should assess the reliability of their own observation by seeing if it is consistent with another researcher’s observation.

Question 30

Define Inter-observer/rater reliability:

Answer 30

Two (or more) trained observers conduct the same observation

Question 31

Inter-observer/rater reliability

Answer 31

1. Agree and use the same checklist/ tally of operationalised categories.
2. Observation is conducted separately by each observer.
3. Compare the two independently produced data sets. A test of correlation (e.g. spearman’s rho) can assess the strength of the relationship between two data sets. A correlation of 0.8 or stronger is generally accepted.

Question 32

Double blind inter-observer

Answer 32

in observation the researcher may decide to use two observers who are unaware of the true aims of the research to reduce observer bias. (double-blind)