Research Methods- Observational techniques

Question 1

Naturalistic observation -

Answer 1

Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.

Question 2

Controlled observation -

Answer 2

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment, i.e. one where some variables are managed.

Question 3

Covert observation -

Answer 3

Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.

Question 4

Overt observation -

Answer 4

Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent.

Question 5

Participant observation -

Answer 5

The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.

Question 6

Non-participant observation -

Answer 6

The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.

Question 7

What is observation in psychological research?

Answer 7

Observation is a non-experimental method that allows researchers to study behavior directly without relying on self-reports, providing flexibility to study complex interactions in natural or controlled settings.

Question 8

What are naturalistic observations?

Answer 8

Naturalistic observations take place in the setting where the target behavior normally occurs, with all aspects of the environment free to vary.

Question 9

What is an example of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 9

Studying interactions between senior management and employees in a factory setting, as it would not make sense to observe this behavior in an artificial lab environment.

Question 10

What are controlled observations?

Answer 10

Controlled observations involve some control over variables, including manipulating variables and controlling extraneous variables, often conducted in a designed environment.

Question 11

What is an example of a controlled observation?

Answer 11

Mary Ainsworth’s Strange Situation studies, where children’s reactions to their mothers and strangers were observed in a specially designed playroom.

Question 12

What is the difference between naturalistic and controlled observations?

Answer 12

Naturalistic observations occur in natural settings with no control over variables, while controlled observations involve some manipulation and control of variables in a structured environment.

Question 13

What are covert observations?

Answer 13

Covert observations are when participants are unaware they are being observed, and their behavior is recorded secretly, typically in public settings.

Question 14

What is an advantage of covert observations?

Answer 14

They reduce participant reactivity, ensuring that the behavior observed is natural and increasing the validity of the data.

Question 15

What are overt observations?

Answer 15

Overt observations are when participants know they are being observed and have given informed consent beforehand.

Question 16

What is an ethical concern with covert observations?

Answer 16

Participants may not wish to have their behavior recorded, even in public settings, raising issues of privacy and consent.

Question 17

What is an advantage of overt observations?

Answer 17

They are more ethically acceptable as participants have given informed consent, but they may lead to altered behavior due to awareness of being observed.

Question 18

What are participant observations?

Answer 18

Participant observations involve the researcher becoming part of the group they are studying to gain firsthand insight into the participants’ experiences.

Question 19

What are non-participant observations?

Answer 19

Non-participant observations involve the researcher remaining separate from the group being studied, recording behavior objectively from a distance.

Question 20

What is an example of a participant observation?

Answer 20

A researcher joining a factory workforce to study interactions between management and employees.

Question 21

What is an example of a non-participant observation?

Answer 21

A middle-aged female researcher observing behavior among Year 10 students at a boys’ school without joining the group.

Question 22

What is a strength of participant observations?

Answer 22

They provide the researcher with deep insight into the participants’ lives, increasing the validity of the findings.

Question 23

What is a limitation of participant observations?

Answer 23

The researcher may lose objectivity by identifying too strongly with the group, a phenomenon known as “going native.”

Question 24

What is a strength of non-participant observations?

Answer 24

The researcher maintains objectivity and psychological distance from participants, reducing the risk of bias.

Question 25

What is a limitation of non-participant observations?

Answer 25

The researcher may lose valuable insight by being too removed from the participants and their behavior.

Question 26

What is a strength of naturalistic observations?

Answer 26

They have high external validity, as findings can often be generalized to everyday life due to the natural setting.

Question 26

What is a limitation of naturalistic observations?

Answer 26

The lack of control over variables makes replication difficult and may introduce extraneous variables that affect behavior.

Question 27

What is a limitation of controlled observations?

Answer 27

Findings may not be easily applied to real-life settings due to the artificial nature of the controlled environment.

Question 28

What is a strength of controlled observations?

Answer 28

They allow for easier replication and control of extraneous variables, making it simpler to identify patterns of behavior.

Question 29

What is participant reactivity?

Answer 29

Participant reactivity occurs when participants alter their behavior because they know they are being observed, reducing the validity of the findings.

Question 30

What is "going native" in participant observations?

Answer 30

"Going native" refers to the researcher losing objectivity by identifying too strongly with the group they are studying, blurring the line between researcher and participant.

Question 31

Why might covert observations be considered unethical?

Answer 31

Even in public settings, participants may not consent to having their behavior recorded, raising concerns about privacy and ethical treatment.

Question 32

How do overt observations address ethical concerns?

Answer 32

Participants give informed consent, ensuring they are aware of and agree to being observed, making the study more ethically acceptable.

Question 33

What is the main difference between participant and non-participant observations?

Answer 33

In participant observations, the researcher joins the group being studied, while in non-participant observations, the researcher remains separate and observes from a distance.

Question 34

What is the role of objectivity in non-participant observations?

Answer 34

Objectivity allows the researcher to maintain a psychological distance, reducing bias and ensuring a more accurate recording of behavior.

Question 35

What is the role of insight in participant observations?

Answer 35

Insight allows the researcher to understand the participants' experiences more deeply, potentially increasing the validity of the findings.