research methods - observations.

Question 1

What is meant by “naturalistic observations”?

Answer 1

When behaviour is watched and recorded in a setting in which it naturally occurs.

Question 2

What is meant by “controlled observations”?

Answer 2

When behaviour is watched and recorded within a structured environment.

Question 3

What is meant by “covert observations”?

Answer 3

When the participant’s behaviour is watched and recorded without their consent.

Question 4

What is meant by “overt observations”?

Answer 4

When the participant’s behaviour is watched and recorded with their consent.

Question 5

What is meant by “participant observations”?

Answer 5

When the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are studying.

Question 6

What is meant by “non-participant observations”?

Answer 6

When researchers remain outside of the group of the behaviour he/she is observing.

Question 7

Why are observations used?

Answer 7

• allow psychologists to investigate behaviours participants without getting the participants actively involved.
• enabled psychologists to study observable behaviours.
• provides them with more flexibility to study more complex interactions in a more natural way.

Question 8

What is the use of naturalistic observations?

Answer 8

• aspects within are free to vary.
• researcher has no influence.

Question 9

What is a strength of naturalistic observations?

Answer 9

• high external validity
  ↳ findings can be generalised to everyday life.
  ➝ behaviour is studied in an environment in which it naturally occurs.

Question 10

What is a weakness of naturalistic observations?

Answer 10

• lack of control
  ↳ cannot be replicated.

Question 11

What is a strength of controlled observations?

Answer 11

• easier to replicate
  ↳ due to control over variables.

Question 12

What is a weakness of controlled observations?

Answer 12

• may produce findings that cannot be generalised to real life situations.

Question 13

What is a strength of covert observations?

Answer 13

• reduces demand characteristics
  ↳ behaviour recorded is natural.

Question 14

What is a weakness of covert observations?

Answer 14

• ethical issues
  ↳ no informed consent.

Question 15

What is a strength of overt observations?

Answer 15

• gained informed consent
  ↳ meeting ethical guidelines.

Question 16

What is a weakness of overt observations?

Answer 16

• increases demand characteristics
  ↳ aware they are observed so may not act in a normal way.

Question 17

What is a weakness of participant observations?

Answer 17

• going native
  ↳ researcher may begin to identify with group affecting objectivity.
  ➝ line between being a researcher and participant is blurred.

Question 18

What is a weakness of non-participant observations?

Answer 18

• may lose valuable insight
  ↳ far too removed from people or behaviour being studied.

Question 19

What is the use of controlled observations?

Answer 19

• some control over variables through manipulating them and seeing the effect it has on DV.
• can control extraneous variables.

Question 20

What is the use of participant observations?

Answer 20

• allows researcher to gain a first-hand account of what it is like to be a part of the group and behaviour they are observing.

Question 21

What is a strength of participant observations?

Answer 21

• increased insight of participant behaviour
  ↳ researcher is experiencing situation along with the participants.

Question 22

What is the use of non-participant observations?

Answer 22

• allows researcher to record the behaviour of participants in a more objective manner.
• often done when it is impractical to be a part of the group being studied.