Observational Methods and Techniques

Observational Methods and Techniques

1. Observational Methods

   • Naturalistic Observation definition - A research method carried out in a naturalistic settings, in which the investigators doesn't interfere in any way but merely observes the behaviours in question, though this is likely to involve the use of structured observations.
     • An example is when Mary Ainsworth studied the 'Ugandan women and children' interactions.
       • Her data/observations were structured.
   • Even though the observer does not interfere with the experiment, their observations might be structured.
   • Controlled Observation definition - A form of investigating in which behaviour is observed but under controlled conditions, in contrast with a naturalistic observation.

2. Observational Techniques

   • Unstructured Observation definition: An observer records all relevant behaviour but has no system. This technique may be chosen because the behaviour to be studied is largely unpredictable.
     • Problem? Behaviours recorded will be those which are most visible of eye-catching to the observer but no always be the most important or relevant behaviours.
   • Structured Observation definition: An observed uses various systems to organise observations, such as behavioural categories and sampling procedures.
     • Behaviour Categories - Dividing a target behaviour into a subset of behaviours. Can be done using checklists or a coding system.
       • Problem? Deciding how different behaviours should be categorised as people's perception of behaviour differs.
     • Sampling Procedures - Who you are observing and when.
       • Event Sampling - An observational technique in which a count is kept of the number of times a certain behaviour occurs.
       • Time Sampling - Recording behaviours in a given time frame.

3. Improvements of sampling procedures: 1) More than one observer - Inter-rater reliability observer 2) Film it 3) Compare the observers results ( should be 80% the same)