⭐ • Research Methods: Observational Research

Question 1

What is observation?

Answer 1

Empirical measurements of behaviour

Question 2

Observations are not ________-________

Answer 2

Observations are not self-reported

Question 3

What is observational research?

Answer 3

When researchers watch or listen to what participants do

Question 4

What is a strength to observational research?

Answer 4

Observations give a view on natural behaviour that has mundane realisms - unlike self-report which can be different from what people actually do

Question 5

What is a weakness to observational research?

Answer 5

• Observer bias, they may see what they want to see
• Observations cannot provide insight into what people think, its only what people show externally

Question 6

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 6

When there is no interference, all variables in the environment are left as usual

Question 7

What is a strength to naturalistic observation?

Answer 7

• High ecological validity as due to natural environment, people are likely to behave naturally as well, without any demand characteristics

Question 8

What is a weakness to naturalistic observation?

Answer 8

• Lacks internal validity/ creditability as there is no control over confounding or extraneous variables

Question 9

What is structured observation?

Answer 9

When some variables are changed/ manipulated bby the researcher e.g. in a laboratory

Question 10

What is a strength to structured observation?

Answer 10

• Controlled environment allows for specific foucses on particular behaviour - internal valdity
• Possible to draw tentative conclusions due to control over extraneous so any change would be due to independent variable

Question 11

What is a weakness to structured observation?

Answer 11

• Environments are artificially controlled and manipulated and therefore are not representitative of real-world settings, strucutred observation lacks ecological validity - meaning observations may be unatural behavior

Question 12

What is non-participant observation?

Answer 12

Whent the observer is not a participant in the behaviour that is being observed

Question 13

What is a strength to non-participant observation?

Answer 13

• Increased objectivity because of the psychological/ physical difference as the observer is not undergoing the same experience as the observed participants
• Possible lack of demand characteristics

Question 14

What is a weakness to non-participant observation?

Answer 14

• Observer may view less of the behaviour due to separation
• Observer may misinterpret behaviour due to absence of contexual knowledge of being present in experience, can reduce validity

Question 15

What is participant observation?

Answer 15

When the observer is a participant in the behaviour being observed

Question 16

What is a strenght to participant observation?

Answer 16

• Observer may view more of the behaviour as they are present within expereince
• Likely to provide unforseen insight into behaviour due to increased contextualisation of events as result of being in the participant perspective

Question 17

What is a weakness to participant observation?

Answer 17

• Being involved in the experience creates observer bias as they arent observing from a netural & objective angle - the observer would be looking at the scenario subjectivley due to familiarity
• Observer may be too involved in the scenario to adequately observe all the behaviour

Question 18

What is covert observation?

Answer 18

When observations are made secretly without a particpants knowledge

Question 19

What is a strength to covert observation?

Answer 19

• Participants behave completely naturally because they are unaware of being observed (no demand charactersitics)
• No artificial behaviours fuled by social desirability, so behaviours likely to be natural (increased ecological validity)

Question 20

What is a weakness to covert observation?

Answer 20

• Ethical concerns about observing people without their knowledge or informed consent.
• Invasion of privacy, even for observations in a public location, people may view as unethical to observe and record their behaviour
• Have to be cautious as can be illegal in certain situations

Question 21

What is overt observation?

Answer 21

When the participant is aware that they are being observed

Question 22

What is a strength to overt observation?

Answer 22

• Avoids ethical concerns over lack of informed consent because participants decide if they wish to participant
• Easier to view behaviour as observer doesnt have to worry about hiding
• Ethically strong due to declaration of presence and no deception

Question 23

What is a weakness to overt observation?

Answer 23

• If participants know they are being observed they are likely to alter their behaviour (demand characteristics) + (social desirability bias) + (participant variables)

Question 24

What are the 3 methods to observing and collecting quantitative data?

Answer 24

• Behavioural categories
• Event sampling
• Time sampling

Question 25

What are behavioural categories?

Answer 25

Objective methods to separate continuous streams of actions into clear, separate and distinct components

Question 26

What is event sampling?

Answer 26

After creating behavioural categories, observer would tally into the corresponding category **every time** a set behaviour occurs

Question 27

What is time sampling?

Answer 27

After creating behavioural categories, observer would tally into the corresponding category **at a regular interval** e.g. every 5 seconds for 8 minuets

Question 28

What are strengths for event & time sampling?

Answer 28

* Both methods make observing behaviour managable by structuring observations * Event sampling is useful when sought behaviours only happen occasionally + adds standardisation to observations * Time sampling allows for tracking of time-related changes in behaviour + adds standardisation to observations

Question 29

What are weaknesses for event & time sampling?

Answer 29

* Observations may not be representitative if the of events/ behaviour categories are not exhaustive - reduces validity of observations * Time sampling can reduce validity because some behaviours would be missed as time restricts when can observe/ record behaviour, behaviours could be left out if dont occur in observational itnterval

Question 30

What must you clearly state when explaining tallying in behavioural categories?

Answer 30

* Make behavioural categories * Choose sampling method * When event occurs/ time elapsed, you **put a tally mark in the corresponding behavioural category**