Observations

Question 1

Observations

Answer 1

Observation is one method for collecting research data. It involves watching a part. and recording relevant behaviour for later analysis

Question 2

Define a participant observations

Answer 2

Define a participant observation (2 marks)
The researcher observes behaviour whilst part of the group being observed (1 mark)
Data collected whilst being part of a group or situation e.g. joining a cult or football hooligans (2nd mark)

Question 3

Strengths of participant observations

Answer 3

©The researcher can gain an in-depth
understanding of the group’s behaviour as they are part of the group and so will not miss important aspects e.g. feelings and motivations.
©it can give access not only to the behaviour s of the participants but also their attitudes, opinions and feelings.
It enables access to groups that may not allow an outsider to observe e.g. cults- Festinger study

Question 4

Limitation of participant observations

Answer 4

@The researcher becomes part of the group meaning there is a greater chance of bias in the arch findings lowering the internal validity of observation
The researcher might be overwhelmed with amount of data and may have difficulty recording the data.

Question 5

Non participant observation

Answer 5

The researcher is separate from the group whilst observing their behaviour and does not interfere in any way (1 mark)
Data collected from distance e.g. video camera (2nd mark)

Question 6

Strength of non participant

Answer 6

©The researcher is not part of the group so can be more objective thus reducing the chance of bias therefore increasing the internal validity of the observation.
©As the observer is separate from the situation, they are more able to manage the amount of data and recording is more straightforward.

Question 7

Weakness of non participant

Answer 7

@ By not being part of the group they may miss part of behavior e.g. feelings and motivation unlike in a participant observation where the researcher can gain an in-depth understanding of the groups behaviour.

Question 8

Controlled observation

Answer 8

The conditions are manipulated by the researcher. This type of observation may be carried out in a laboratory type situation.

Question 9

Naturalistic observations

Answer 9

Watching natural behaviour in a natural environment.
No intervention or manipulation of variables e.g. aggression in playground

Question 10

Overt observation

Answer 10

Participants are aware their behaviour is being observed, so will be aware of the purpose of the research. The researcher is clearly visible to participant

Question 11

Convert observation

Answer 11

These observations are conducted without the knowledge or awareness of the participants. This can be done through an observer being hidden, use of secret cameras or from behind a two-way mirror.

Question 12

Designing observations

Answer 12

Step 1: Decide on the behaviour to be observed
Step 2: Decide on the location (controlled or naturalistic) (e.g. lab, school) and for how long the participants be observed?
Step 3: How covert or covert e.g. use of cameras?
Participant/non-participant.

Step 4: Produce behavioural categories;
Step 5: Decide on TIME (when & how long you will observe for)
Step 6: How to record - TALLY or RATINGS

Question 13

Behaviour sampling in observations

Answer 13

Behaviour sampling in observations.
The psychologist needed to decide when and how often to records behaviour. There are two ways to do

Question 14

Event sampling

Answer 14

Event sampling: Counting the number of times a behaviour occurs (events) in a target individual or individuals across a whole event - do not mention over a period of time

Question 15

Time sampling

Answer 15

Time sampling: Counting behaviours in a set time frame for example recording what isagpening every 2 minutes.