2. Observations

Question 1

How many types of observations are there?

Answer 1

8

Question 2

Which types of observation refer to where the observation is conducted?

Answer 2

• Naturalistic - takes place in the p’s natural environment

- Controlled - takes place in some form of controlled environment which allows control over variables

Question 3

Which types of observation refer to how the data is collected?

Answer 3

• Structured - the data would be gathered using a pre-written behaviour categories
• Unstructured - researcher uses direct observation to record behaviours as they occur

Question 4

Which types of observation refer to what part the observer takes on?

Answer 4

• Participant - the researcher joins in with the group and their behaviour
• Non-participant - researcher doesn’t participate with group, just observes

Question 5

Which types of observation refer to the participants knowledge

Answer 5

• Overt - p’s are aware they are being observed

- Covert - p’s aren’t aware they are being observed

Question 6

What are the strengths and weaknesses of controlled observations ?

Answer 6

• S- High levels of control over extraneous variables, meaning that it is easy to replicate and test for reliability
• W- demand characteristics may be present
• low ecological validity

Question 7

What are the strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic observations

Answer 7

• S- High levels of ecological validity
• p’s often unaware so minimises demand characteristics
• W- no control over extraneous variables
• if p’s are unaware it raises ethical issues

Question 8

What are the strengths and weaknesses of participants observations

Answer 8

• S- allows researcher to observe data that would otherwise be out of their reach
• high ecological validity
• W- may make observations more subjective
• may alter behaviour being recorded if overt

Question 9

What are the strengths and weaknesses of non-participant observations

Answer 9

• S- reduces observer bias/chance researcher will affect behaviour
• able to use checklist (behaviour categories) instead of memory
• W- harder to observe all p’s equally due to distance
• only certain categories of behaviour that will be observable

Question 10

What are the strengths and weaknesses of covert observations

Answer 10

• S- high ecological validity as it doesnt alter p’s behaviour
• W- ethical issues - unaware of being observed = lack of informed consent

Question 11

What are the strengths and weaknesses of overt observations

Answer 11

• S- eliminates possible ethical issues of observing without consent
• W- danger of reducing validity/demand characteristics

Question 12

What is time based sampling?

Answer 12

• observer records at regular time intervals
• target person is chosen and watched for a fixed amount of time - behaviour is recorded
• after this they wait for a fixed interval and then either watch them again or watch a new person

Question 13

What are the strengths and weaknesses of time based sampling?

Answer 13

• S- provides consistent data - if lots was going on it would be hard to record all behaviours
• W- not all data is recorded - key behaviour may be missed

Question 14

what is event based sampling

Answer 14

• observer decides in advance what type of behaviours they are interested in
• develops a coding system
• records everytime that particular behaviour occurs
• behaviour is recorded continuously

Question 15

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Event based sampling?

Answer 15

• S- all data is recorded so key data should not be missed

- W- if there’s lots going on, it’s very difficult to record every event/behaviour