Flashcards
Observations
Cards in this deck (30)
- 1What is an overt observation?Where the role of the observer is known to the participants
- 2What is a covert observation?Participants are unaware that they're being watched (the observer may be participant or non-participant)
- 3Name the advantages and disadvantages of overt observationsAdv: More ethical than covert observations as pp's are aware of observer's presence
Disadv: Pp's responses may not reflect what they normally do - 4Name the advantages and disadvantages of covert observationsAdv: Pp's are more likely to act in a genuine way
Adv: If observer is non-participant, data recording can use equipment to make accurate and detailed recordings
Disadv: ethical issues
Disadv: Validity is compromised if observer is identified or suspected - 5What is a structured observation?Observer records a specified range of behaviours in pre-decided and pre-defined categories
- 6What is an unstructured observation?Observer records a non-specified, wide range of behaviours including any that seem relevant
- 7Name 2 advantages of structured observations1. Operationally defined behavioural categories agreed between observers are likely to be reliable
2. Behavioural categories can be developed in a pilot study to be certain that they include all the key behaviours - 8Name 2 disadvantages of structured observations1. Simple definitions of behaviour may not convey sufficient meaning - lowers validity
2. Having predetermined behavioural categories may be limiting if new behaviours become apparent during the study - 9Name 2 advantages of unstructured observations1. No limitation of specified behavioural categories so data is richer and more complete
2. Detailed descriptions of behaviours give a more complete picture of the situations - 10Name 2 disadvantages of unstructured observations1. By attempting to record everything, observers may miss or ignore important aspects
2. Without operational definitions, recording may be inconsistent - 11What is a participant observation?Participants behaviour is recorded by a researcher who is engaged with them as part of the social setting
- 12What is a non-participant observation?Participant's behaviour is recorded by a researcher who is not engaged with them as part of the social setting (the observer can be overt or covert)
- 13Name 2 advantages of participant observations1. Observers gain insight into the pp's real emotions and motives
2. If pp's are unaware of observer's dual role they might behave more normally than they would otherwise, increasing validity - 14Name 2 disadvantages of participant observations1. If observer has to be hidden, this raises ethical issues
2. Pp's will be aware they're being observed so their responses may not reflect what they'd normally do - 15Name 2 advantages of non-participant observations1. if the observer is covert, data recording can use equipment to make accurate and detailed records
2. Observers can remain objective about the situation as they aren't involved - 16Name 2 disadvantages of non-participant observations1. If pp's are aware of the observer, their behaviour is likely to change and be less typical
2. Pp's are unaware that they're being observed which raises ethical issues - 17What is a naturalistic observation?Behaviours seen in participants normal environment are recorded without interference from the researchers in either the social or physical environment
- 18What is a controlled observation?Behaviours seen are recorded by the researchers in situations in which there has been some manipulation by the researchers (natural or artificial environment)
- 19Name 2 advantages of naturalistic observations1. Pp's are in normal environment so are more likely to react realistically
2. Pp's are less likely to be aware they're being observed so are more likely to act genuinely - 20Name 2 disadvantages of naturalistic observations1. Extraneous variables can rarely be controlled so are a threat to validity
2. If observers are identified, or even suspected by pp's, validity is compromised - 21Name 2 advantages of controlled observations1. Data recording is likely to be reliable as equipment can be used and researched can be obvious
2. Extraneous variables can be controlled so validity can be high compared to naturalistic observations - 22Name 2 disadvantages of controlled observations1. Pp's are in an unfamiliar environment so may react differently from how they would normally
2. The social situation is limited so cannot completely represent the reality of a complex social setting - 23What are behavioural categories?Operationally defined units of events used in a structured observation to break a continuous stream of activity into recordable events
- 24What is a coding frame?A system for differentiating behaviours to be recorded in an observation, which uses abbreviations to represent different behavioural categories
- 25What is time sampling?A data collection technique that uses a list of possible activities. The occurrence of these activities is recorded in relation to short, specified time intervals
- 26Name 2 advantages of time sampling1. It can give an indication of the order in which events happen
2. It can give an indication of the time spent on each behaviour - 27Name 2 disadvantages of time sampling1. It's difficult to record as many different behaviours in time sampling as can be recorded in event sampling
2. Records are more difficult to obtain as timings have to be precise and if they are indicated by a timer that makes a noise, this can lead to demand characteristics - 28What is event sampling?A data collection technique that uses a checklist of possible activities which are tallied as they occur
- 29Name 2 advantages of event sampling1. It can record every occurrence of each behaviour to give a complete record
2. Records are easy to obtain and analyse as they are just totals - 30Name 2 disadvantages of event sampling1. It gives no indication of the time spent on each behavioural category
2. It gives no indication of the order in which events from each behavioural category occur
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- GCSE Psychology Flashcards on Observations, created by Livvy Allen on 15/01/2018.
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- Livvy Allen
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