Ch. 6 - Observational Method

Question 1

Quantitative approach (empirical)

Answer 1

• An approach to research that emphasizes empiricism in design, data collection, and statistical analyses
• ex. systematic observation, close-ended surveys
• This approach requires statistical analysis

Question 2

Qualitative approach

Answer 2

• A set of approaches to research that emphasizes people’s lived experiences in their own words, and the researcher’s interpretation of those experiences
• Often used in counseling psychology
• ex. naturalistic observation, focus groups

Question 3

Naturalistic observation

Answer 3

• Descriptive method in which observations are made in a natural social setting
• Sometimes called field observation
• The researchers first goal is to describe the setting, events, and persons observed. The second, equally important goal is to interpret what was observed
• Some quantitative researchers use naturalistic observation to collect data that they later translate into numerical data using a coding system

Question 4

Participant observation

Answer 4

• A type of naturalistic observation in which the researcher assumes a role in the setting he or she is researching
• The researcher’s participation may or may not be concealed
• A disadvantage is the researcher may lose the objectivity necessary to conduct scientific observation

Question 5

Concealed observation

Answer 5

• A type of naturalistic observation in which the researcher assumes a participant role in the setting he or she is researching, but conceals the purpose of the research
• Concealed observation is less reactive than non-concealed observation because people are unaware that their behaviours are being observed and recorded

Question 6

Systematic observation

Answer 6

• Refers to the careful observation of one or more specific behaviours in a particular setting, usually contrived by the researcher
• The researcher is interested in only a few very specific behaviours, the observations are quantifiable, and the researcher typically has hypotheses about the behaviours

Question 7

Coding system

Answer 7

• A set of rules used to categorize observations

- In general, the purpose of a coding system is to summarize qualitative observations

Question 8

Case study

Answer 8

• A case study provides a description of an individual
• This individual is usually a person, but it may also be a setting such as a business, school, or neighbourhood
• It is inappropriate to generalize the results from one case to the population (ie. external validity)

Question 9

Archival research

Answer 9

• Involves using previously compiled information to answer research questions
• The researcher does not actually collect the original data
• Three sources of archival research data are: statistical records, survey archives, and written records

Question 10

Content analysis

Answer 10

-Is the systematic analysis of existing documents/written records

Question 11

What are the 3 major problems with the use of archival data?

Answer 11

1. The desired records may be difficult to obtain
2. We have no control over what data were collected and the way they were recorded (ie. we can never be completely sure of the accuracy of information collected by someone else)
3. Many alternative explanations for observed relationships exist, so they cannot be used to make causal claims