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17 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is an observation? |
A non-experimental method of investigation that involves pps being observed and recorded engaging in certain behaviours. |
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What is a naturalistic observation? |
When behaviour is studied in a natural situation where everything has been left as it normally is |
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What is a controlled observation? |
When some variables are controlled by the researcher, reducing the 'naturalness' of the behaviour being studied. |
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What is a participant observation? |
When the observer joins in with the pp group |
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What is a non-participant observation? |
When the observer only watches the pp group and doesn't join in |
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What is an overt observation? |
when the role of the researcher is obvious to the pps |
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what is a covert observation? |
when the role of the researcher is hidden from the pps |
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what is an unstructured observation? |
when the researcher will record all relevant behaviour but has no system |
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what is a structured observation? |
when the researcher uses a coding system to record behaviour |
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what is a coding system? |
when behaviour is operationalised by being broken into different categories |
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what is event sampling? |
when the researcher charts each time a particular behaviour is observed |
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what is time sampling? |
when data is recorded at regular time intervals |
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give a weakness of observations (R) |
they can be difficult to replicate as they take place at a specific place and time |
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give 2 strengths of observations |
1.Usually have high ecological validity because they involve more natural behaviours. It's especially high in naturalistic, covert observations.
2.May be more valid than questionnaires because what people say is often different from what they actually do |
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give 2 weaknesses of observations |
1. Observer bias - when the validity is affected by the expectations of the observer. If they have an idea about what will happen, they might only record data that fits their theory. 2. The pp group could be bias, meaning that the sample isn't representative of all people and can't be generalised. |
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give 2 ways observer bias can be reduced |
1. by using more than one observer 2. by using a double-blind technique, where the person observing doesn't know the aim of the study. |
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give one way reliability can be increased |
1. by training the observers to use the coding system through practice 2. by correlating the observations of 2 or more observers |
