Observation: Reliability and validity

Question 1

What is participant observation?

1

Answer 1

• Observer is ppt in behaviour being observed

Question 2

What are the pros of participant observation?

2

Answer 2

• Ppt see ^detail than someone new to situation

- Observer may see/hear more, closer to action

Question 3

What are the pros of non-participant observation?

2

Answer 3

• ^Objectivity, distance

- Observe unobtrusively, ppt behave naturally (validity)

Question 4

What are the cons of non-participant observation?

2

Answer 4

• Misinterpret communications (>validity)

- Observer may see less

Question 5

What is a structured observation?

1

Answer 5

• Some variables manipulated by researcher (lab)

Question 6

What are the pros of a structured observation?

2

Answer 6

• Controlled environment = focus on specific aspects of behaviour, specific conclusions made
• Tentative casual conclusions, if variables deliberately changed, one caused the other

Question 7

What are the cons of a structured observation?

2

Answer 7

• Environment may feel unnatural (low eco validity)

- Demand characteristics (guess aims)

Question 8

What is the main pro of a naturalistic observation?

1

Answer 8

• Realistic picture of natural behaviour (^eco validity)

Question 9

What are the cons of a naturalistic observation?

2

Answer 9

• Likely to be covert, ethical issues

- Difficult to draw conclusions if focus is ^wide

Question 10

What are the pros of overt observation (ppt aware)?

2

Answer 10

• Avoids lack of informed consent

- Observer doesn’t have to hide, easier to take notes

Question 11

What is the main con of overt observation?

1

Answer 11

• Demand characteristics (alter their behaviour)

Question 12

What is the main pro of covert observation (made w/out ppt knowledge)?
1

Answer 12

• Ppt behave more naturally not aware being observed

Question 13

What are the cons of covert observation?

2

Answer 13

• Ethical issues about observing people w/out their knowledge
• Invasion of privacy

Question 14

What are the cons of participant observation?

2

Answer 14

• > Objectivity (observer bias) subjective

- Hard to monitor unobtrusively, ppt aware being studied