Research Methods: Observations

Question 1

What type of observation involves manipulated conditions by the researcher?

Answer 1

Controlled observation

Question 2

What type of observation should she carry out?

Answer 2

Controlled observation

Question 3

Define controlled observation.

Answer 3

An observation where the conditions are manipulated by the researcher, conducted in a lab setting.

Question 4

Did Mary Ainsworth carry out a naturalistic observation?

Answer 4

FALSE - it was a controlled observation.

Question 5

Why are controlled observations praised for high reliability?

Answer 5

The environment is controlled and standardized, so the observations can be repeated for consistent results.

Question 6

What does reliability mean?

Answer 6

When you can repeat a study and check for consistency in results.

Question 7

Which observation is the most reliable?

Answer 7

Controlled observation

Question 8

Why do controlled observations lack ecological validity?

Answer 8

The observation takes place in an artificial setting that doesn’t reflect real life, reducing generalizability and lowering external validity.

Question 9

When can you use demand characteristics as an evaluation point?

Answer 9

Only if the participants are over the age of 10.

Question 10

Why might a controlled observation be prone to demand characteristics if participants are over 10?

Answer 10

Older participants might realize they are being watched and may alter their behavior, potentially helping or hindering the research.

Question 11

Over what age might participants show demand characteristics in a controlled observation?

Answer 11

If they are over the age of 10.

Question 12

What type of observation method is used when a researcher observes children in a play area with a two-way mirror?

Answer 12

Controlled observation

Question 13

In what observation method is there no manipulation of the variables?

Answer 13

Naturalistic observations

Question 14

Define a naturalistic observation.

Answer 14

Watching natural behavior where the target behavior would normally occur, with no manipulation of variables.

Question 15

What type of observation method is used when a researcher observes children in a daycare?

Answer 15

Naturalistic observation

Question 16

Why does a naturalistic observation NOT suffer from demand characteristics with participants over 10?

Answer 16

Participants are less likely to know they are being watched and are unlikely to change their natural behavior, increasing internal validity.

Question 17

Why does a naturalistic observation have high internal validity?

Answer 17

Participants are less likely to change their natural behavior, thus maintaining internal validity.

Question 18

Which observation method has higher internal validity: controlled or naturalistic?

Answer 18

Controlled observation

Question 19

Why has a naturalistic observation been praised for high external validity?

Answer 19

Observations take place in a natural setting, making the findings more generalizable to other similar settings.

Question 20

Which observation method has high ecological validity?

Answer 20

Naturalistic observation

Question 21

Why have naturalistic observations been criticized for low reliability?

Answer 21

It’s difficult to replicate observations in a natural environment, making it hard to obtain consistent results.

Question 22

Why is it difficult to obtain consistent results in a naturalistic observation?

Answer 22

Observing participants in their natural environment makes it hard to replicate the observation under the same conditions.

Question 23

Why might naturalistic observations be unethical?

Answer 23

Lack of informed consent, as participants might not know they are being observed in a natural setting.

Question 24

Which observation method is the most unethical?

Answer 24

Naturalistic observations

Question 25

Why has naturalistic observation been criticized for lack of informed consent?

Answer 25

Participants may not know they are being observed, meaning they haven't given consent.

Question 26

Define overt observation.

Answer 26

Participants are aware they are being observed, so they know the purpose of the research.

Question 27

What observation is it when the observer is clearly visible to the participants?

Answer 27

Overt observation

Question 28

Why is overt observation the most ethical?

Answer 28

Participants are aware they are being observed and can give consent for their data to be used.

Question 29

Which observation method is the most ethical: Overt or Covert?

Answer 29

Overt observation

Question 30

Why is overt observation more ethical than covert?

Answer 30

Participants are aware they are being observed and can give consent for their data to be used.

Question 31

Why is overt observation prone to demand characteristics only if participants are over 10?

Answer 31

Participants may realize they are being watched, which can alter their natural behavior.

Question 32

Why may overt observations have low internal validity?

Answer 32

Participants might change their natural behavior if they know they are being watched, lowering internal validity.

Question 33

What observation is it when a researcher records children using hidden CCTV cameras?

Answer 33

Covert observation

Question 34

Define covert observation.

Answer 34

Observations conducted without the participants' knowledge, often using hidden observers.

Question 35

Give an example of how you might carry out a covert observation.

Answer 35

Using secret cameras or a two-way mirror.

Question 36

Why is the Strange Situation an example of a covert observation?

Answer 36

It was carried out using a two-way mirror.

Question 37

Why may a covert observation be less likely to suffer from demand characteristics?

Answer 37

Participants are unaware they are being observed, so they are less likely to alter their natural behavior.

Question 38

What is a disadvantage of covert observation?

Answer 38

It raises ethical issues as participants are unaware they are being observed, resulting in a lack of informed consent and potential invasion of privacy.

Question 39

Why are covert observations unethical?

Answer 39

Participants are unaware they are being observed, raising ethical issues like lack of informed consent and invasion of privacy.

Question 40

What is meant by a participant observation?

Answer 40

The researcher becomes involved with the group being studied, collecting data while being part of the group.

Question 41

What type of observation method involves the researcher being part of the group?

Answer 41

Participant observation

Question 42

Name 1 strength of participant observation.

Answer 42

The observer can gain an in-depth understanding of the group’s behavior.

Question 43

Why are you able to gain an in-depth understanding of the group’s behavior in a participant observation?

Answer 43

As the observer is part of the group, they can gain insight into feelings and motivations that would otherwise be missed.

Question 44

Why does a participant observation have high internal validity?

Answer 44

The researcher’s involvement ensures that they do not miss important aspects of behavior, increasing internal validity.

Question 45

Identify a disadvantage of participant observation.

Answer 45

Risk of researcher bias.

Question 46

Why might participant observation have researcher bias?

Answer 46

The researcher is part of the group, which can decrease objectivity and impact the observations.

Question 47

Why may participant observation have low internal validity?

Answer 47

Researcher bias can influence the findings, lowering the objectivity and internal validity.

Question 48

What is meant by a non-participant observation?

Answer 48

The researcher observes the group from a distance without being involved with them.

Question 49

In what type of observation method is the researcher not involved with the group?

Answer 49

Non-participant observation

Question 50

Why does a non-participant observation have high internal validity?

Answer 50

The researcher’s lack of involvement reduces bias and increases objectivity in the observations.

Question 51

Why might it be difficult to gain an in-depth understanding of a group’s behavior in a non-participant observation?

Answer 51

The researcher is not involved with the group, so they may miss important aspects like feelings and motivations.

Question 52

Why does non-participant observation have low internal validity?

Answer 52

The researcher’s distance from the group means they might miss critical details, lowering the internal validity of the findings.