Field Methods in Psychology

Nonexperimental approaches

These approaches are ***higher in external validity*** than are laboratory experiments, but they are probably ***lower in internal validity***.

1. Phenomenology
2. Case Studies
3. Field Studies
4. Archival Studies
5. Qualitative Research

What are the five major nonexperimental approaches to data collection?

reproducibility— others should be able to replicate it with similar results.

Most important measure of the goodness of a qualitative study lies in ______

Phenomenology

It is employed in qualitative research to gain a deep understanding of various phenomena from the perspective of the individuals involved

Phenomenology

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It is the description of one’s own immediate experience.

Phenomenology

Rather than looking out at behaviors in the world, the phenomenological approach requires us to ***begin with our* %%*own*%% *experience as a source of data***.

The Cons of Phenomenology

* We cannot make cause-and-effect
* We cannot make comparison with subjects under different conditions
* May not be completely accurate or objective

Case Study

It is used to study individuals.

Case Study

It is a %%**descriptive**%% record ***made by an outside observer*** of an individual's experiences, behaviors, or both

Case Study

This approach enables us to study a ***variety of life events*** we could not study experimentally.

systematically over a period of time; retrospective data

In case study, the record may be made _________ or after the fact, using ______, as is often the case in clinical practice.

deviant case analysis

In a variation of the case study, the__________, researchers compare case studies of individuals with psychopathologies to those of normal individuals, looking for potentially important differences between them.

Field Studies

These are studies done in real-life settings.

Field Studies

These studies allow us to ***explore behavior*** that we probably would not see in the laboratory, but they ***cannot be used*** to ***make inferences about cause-and-effect relationships.***

1. Naturalistic Observation
2. Systematic Observation Techniques
3. Participant-Observer Study

Field studies include a variety of techniques for collecting data.

1. Assessment Phase
2. Planning Phase
3. Implementation & Monitoring Phase
4. Reporting Phase

What are the four **project cycle application** in Transect Walk? List it down in correct order.

Step 1: Preparation

Step 2: Introduction

Step 3: Exercise Instructions

What are the three **facilitation steps** in Transect Walk? List it down in correct order.

The Transect Walk reveals the location and distribution of resources, infrastructure, social interaction, landscape, land use patterns and different activities taking place within a community or targeted area.

What is the purpose of a Transect Walk?

Transect Walk

This exercise involves group members ***speaking with people in the community*** and ***active observation*** of the environment to capture key information (e.g., assets, hazards, livelihoods) that is then used in the classification of zones (i.e., land use, vulnerability, social conditions).

Transect Walk

Conversations along the way offer the opportunity to hear perspectives from a diverse array of community members and to gain insight on how the physical and social characteristics and relationships have ***changed over time***.

Transect Walk: 1 - Assessment Phase

Can be used to help people discover ***under appreciated or unexpected patterns*** throughout a community or place.

Transect Walk: 2 - Planning Phase

Can be used to focus people’s attention on ***assets and livelihood activities.***

Transect Walk: 3 - Implementation & Monitoring Phase

Can be used to focus or redirect participants’ activities to new or more appropriate locations or resources within a community or place. Participant could immerse themselves in their surrounding by ***interacting and experiencing what the environment could offer***.

Transect Walk: 4 - Reporting Phase

The Transect Walk ***can be the participants’ “Report”*** as they lead the wider audience in the exercise and encourage observations and informant interviews (hear change stories) along the walk.

Preparation

What facilitation step is this in a Transect Walk?

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Choose a route between two points through the chosen area. The route chosen should attempt to pass through as many of the different physical areas, land-use zones and social statuses of the community as possible. Materials include participant notebooks and pens.

Introduction

What facilitation step is this in a Transect Walk?

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The exercise can take between 1 and 3 hours, depending upon the distance to cover, the number of participants and the different stops and conversations along the way. ***Introduce the Transect Walk by sharing the purpose***. This is the opportunity to ***focus people’s observations and conversations on a particular aspect of the community***, if so desired. Remind participants that their role is make notes of what they see and hear along the walk.

Exercise Instructions

What facilitation step is this in a Transect Walk?

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As a group, walk along the route stopping from time to time (as features change) to note what is being observed.

• Ensure that some group members are keeping a record of all vital information.

• Ensure that some group members are drawing a map and sketching key features/land markers/assets as they are encountered.

What should the group members do in a Transect Walk?

Naturalistic Observation

This is called the technique of ***observing events as they occur in their natural settings***, is a common component of field research. This technique is common on animal research (ethology), but can be used to study human behavior as well.

unobtrusive; reactivity

During naturalistic observation, the observer remains ______ so that the behaviors being observed are not altered by the presence of an intruder. This approach reduces subjects’ ______ and allows study of behaviors that would be distorted or absent in the laboratory.

systematic observation techniques

When the researcher wants to answer specific questions during naturalistic observations, ____________ can be used.

participant-observer study

In another field technique called __________, the researcher may interact with subjects as well as observe them to obtain information

Participant-Observer Study

This method is infrequently used and can present special ethical challenges.

Qualitative Research

This nonexperimental approach relies on ***words*** rather than numbers for the data being collected. It uses self-reports, personal narratives, and expression of ideas, memories, feelings, and thoughts.

Qualitative Research

This approach is used to study phenomena that are contextual, meaning they cannot be understood without the context in which they appear.

empirical phenomenology

Many ***qualitative researchers*** use methods of ______ to gather data.

Empirical phenomenology

This relies on the researcher’s own experiences or experiential data provided by others.

Research ethics

This refers to the moral principles guiding research, conducting research in a responsible and morally defensible way.

1. avoid harm to participants,
2. ensure informed consent,
3. respect the privacy of participants and avoid deception

Central to the principles of research are that it should: