Research Methods - Observations Flashcards
(20 cards)
define a controlled observation
observation in an artificial environment
define a naturalistic observation
observing behaviour in a natural environment
define a participant observation
when the observer joins the group
define a non participant observation
when the researcher observes behaviour without participating in the group
define an overt observation
when participants know they are being observed
define a covert observation
observation in which the observer’s presence or purpose is kept secret from those being observed
define a structured observation
a pre set behaviour checklist before observing
define an unstructured observation
no pre set behaviour to tally, so everything or anything can be recorded
define time sampling
record behaviour at specified time intervals eg every 10 mins
define event samping
record every time you see your specified behaviours during the duration of that event
Give a strength and weakness of controlled observations
high control over extraneous variables due to artificial setting, increasing internal validity
lower ecological validity due to control- may not be able to generalise to real life
Give a strength and weakness of naturalistic observations
high ecological validity , more generalizable to real life
more likely to be impacted by extraneous variables due to lack of control
Give a strength and weakness of participant observations
allows observer to gather more detailed accounts due to flexibility as observer is involved in the events they are observing giving more accurate data
hard to remain hidden due to observer being involved
, may change or effect the behaviour of the group
Give a strength and weakness of non participant observations
reduces the effect of the observer on the participants behavior as they are unaware of the observation reducing demand characteristics
may miss vital info / behaviors as they’re external to participants
Give a strength and weakness of covert observations
reduces demand characteristics as participants are unaware they are being observed
quite unethical
difficult to remain hidden as observer has to make notes which may make them look suspicious
Give a strength and weakness of overt observations
removes ethical issues such as informed consent or right to privacy as participants know that they are being observed
potential for demand characteristics/social desireability as they know that they are being observed so may change behaviour - observer effect
Give a strength and weakness of structured observations
simplifies data recording process making it easier to establish inter rater reliability as there is a pre determined list of operationalized behaviors
due to pre determined categories other spontaneous behavior cant be recorded therefore only giving a limited view of behavior
Give a strength and weakness of unstructured observations
you can record a wide range of behaviors seen - its not constricted by a pre determined list to follow
harder to establish inter rater reliability as there isn’t a pre determined list of operationalized behaviors for all observers to follow - making it harder to compare their observations afterwards
Give a strength and weakness of time sampling
reduces researcher fatigue as you don’t have to constantly watch behavior as you only observe at set intervals which simplifies data recording process
potential to miss behaviors occurring outside of the observation intervals causing a lack of validity
Give a strength and weakness of event sampling
less likely to miss behavior as you continuously record all occurrences of behavior - causes collection of valid data as no behaviors are missed like in time sampling
may get difficult to record behavior so may miss some behavior whilst recording others as you have to observe continuously , leading to a lack of validity as only the most eye catching may be recorded .
