Observation

Question 1

What is a research aim

Answer 1

The concept that the researcher wants to investigate

Question 2

What is the research question

Answer 2

A specific question based on the aim of the research

Question 3

What are the 5 key questions observations centre on

Answer 3

• who
• what
• where
• when
• how

Question 4

Describe the key question who

Answer 4

• who to observe
  (Who is the target population, ethics of using this, sample size, sampling technique)

Question 5

Describe the key question what

Answer 5

• what to observe
  (Unstructured observation or structured observation)
  Structured observation decides specific behavioural categories through ‘coding frames’

Question 6

Describe the key question where

Answer 6

Where to carry out observation. Natural environment (naturalistic observation) or conditions contrived by researcher (controlled observation)

Question 7

What is a structured observation

Answer 7

The observer of behaviour is guided by specific pre-defined behavioural categories prior to the observation through the development of a coding frame

Question 8

What is an unstructured observation

Answer 8

Non focused descriptions of the range of behaviours that are going on (record everything observed)

Question 9

Advantages of structured observations

Answer 9

• data is reliable -> observation can be replicated by other researchers using the same fixed categories + can establish inter-rater reliability as behaviour to look out for is clear
• researcher not distracted by other behaviours or irrelevant behaviours to the aim (increasing validity)
• collects quantitative data quickly and easily-> can count frequency of behaviours and compare against other behaviours

Question 10

Disadvantages of structured observations

Answer 10

• can lack validity -> counting frequency of events does not encounter in their meanings
  + data less representative —> events that occur might not fit into any of the pre determined categories of behaviour (may be important) + can overlap with categories ( lacking validity )
• different observes can place the same events into different categories
• observer bias —> observer may interpret behaviours in a way that fits into the behavioural categories (reduce validity as doesn’t reflect what actually happened)

Question 11

Advantages of unstructured observations

Answer 11

• more representative, can record all behaviour that occurs -> including unexpected and annomical behaviour
• increase validity as takes into account all behaviours that are occurring. More valid conclusions of behaviour as wide perspective gathered
• applicable to a wide range of contexts, method extremely easy to use when collecting data on different situations of behaviour
• produces qualitative behaviour which can record more detail for evaluation

Question 12

Disadvantages of unstructured observations

Answer 12

• difficult to observe and record behaviours within a busy area (will need camera equipment to observe all behaviour) —> some behaviours could be missed
• difficult to replicate observation due to lack of fixed categories
• observers have tendency to record more eye catching or noticeable behaviours which might not be relevant
• observer bias —> researcher may only note down behaviours that support their own theories/the aim
• difficult to compare data

Question 13

What is a naturalistic observation

Answer 13

Observations done in the participants natural environment

Question 14

What is a controlled observation

Answer 14

Observations in conditions contrived by researchers such as a laboratory setting

Question 15

Advantages of naturalistic observation

Answer 15

• high ecological validity
• can record unexpected behaviours
• less chance of demand characteristics or social desirability bias
• can easily and quickly gain a large sample for observation

Question 16

Disadvantages of naturalistic observation

Answer 16

• less control of extraneous variables, lacking internal validity
• harder to record behaviour in the public
• if area too busy can lead to key behaviours going unnoticed or mistakes in observation

Question 17

Advantages of controlled observation

Answer 17

• fewer extraneous variables, increasing internal validity
• highly controlled makes it more replicable, data can be falsifiable
• easier to record behaviours in a smaller controlled setting

Question 18

Disadvantages of controlled observation

Answer 18

• high number of controls and unrealistic settings can result in low ecological validity
• increased risk of demand characteristics
• social desirability bias can cause participants to act unlike themselves if they are aware they are being watched

Question 19

What is a covert observation

Answer 19

Participants unaware they are being observed

Question 20

What is an overt observation

Answer 20

Participants are aware they are being observed

Question 21

Advantages of covert observation

Answer 21

• allows natural behaviours to be observed ( more valid, less chance of demand characteristics )
• less chance of observer effect

Question 22

Disadvantages of covert observation

Answer 22

• difficult to record behaviours without raising suspicion
• ethical issues such as lack of consent, participants also cannot withdraw

Question 23

Advantages of overt observation

Answer 23

• avoids ethical issues as participants aware they are being observed
• able to be open in recording behaviours so easier to record data

Question 24

Disadvantages of overt observation

Answer 24

• participants are aware they are being observed so could change behaviour
• biased sample as only those who agree to be observed can be included

Question 25

What is time sampling

Answer 25

The act of recording is triggered by the ending of a set time interval

Question 26

What is event sampling

Answer 26

The act of recording is triggered by the occurrence of the specific behaviour itself

Question 27

Event sampling advantages

Answer 27

- all behaviours are recorded, nothing is missed out - better for recording behaviours which are not frequent

Question 28

Disadvantages of event sampling

Answer 28

- difficult to record all behaviours If there is a lot going on - does not tell you when the behaviour occurred - time consuming and difficult to keep concentration if over a long time

Question 29

Advantages of time sampling

Answer 29

- can see what behaviours occurs and if it changes over a period - does not require observer or concentrate throughout a time period

Question 30

Disadvantages of time sampling

Answer 30

- can miss interesting behaviours between time points - data recorded may not be fully representative of what occurred