6) observational techniques

What kind of scientist study is ‘observational technique’

Observational techniques focuses precisely on particular categories of behaviour or events

What’s the difference between a naturalistic observation and a natural experiment?

In experiments- there is an IV and a DV whilst naturalistic observations do NOT have these variables

What’s a naturalistic observation?

Naturalistic observations is the study of behaviour in a natural setting. The aim is to observe naturally occurring behaviours. Naturalistic observations are usually conducted systematically using a ‘behaviour schedule’

What is a ‘behaviour schedule’

A behaviour schedule is a checklist of precisely defined behaviour, eg a checklist measuring aggressive behaviours used by primary children in a school playground

What’s a ‘controlled observation’

A controlled observation is where the researcher attempts to control certain variables. For example, controlling of the environment can be achieved by doing the observation in a lab.

Why does naturalistic observation have realism, and high external validity?

Naturalistic observation have high external validity because the researcher is able to observe behaviour which occurs naturally in a real-life setting

Why do naturalistic observation have low demand characteristics and investigator effects?

Naturalistic observation have low demand characteristics and investigator effects because when people are unaware they are being observed, their behaviour will not be influenced by demand characteristics or the presence of the researcher

Why do naturalistic observation have difficulty with replicability and lack of control?

Naturalistic observation have difficulty with replicability because the researcher has no control over the variables. Observations can describe behaviour but can rarely tell us why it took place

Why do observations have ‘observer bias’

Observations tend to have observe bias because the observer may be biased when interpreting what they see- observer may be selective in what they notice and see what they already except

What’s an ‘overt observation’

An overt observation (also known as disclosed observation) is when the participants give their permission for their behaviour to be observed

What’s a ‘covert observation’

a covert observation (also known as undisclosed) is when the participants do not know their behaviour is being observed

What is a ‘participant observation’

A participant observation is when the researcher actually joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing

What is a ‘non-participant observation’

A non-participant observation is when the researcher chooses not to play any part in what is being observed and watches from a distance

What is a structured observation?

Structured observations have behaviour categories

What is an unstructured observation?

an unstructured observation is when the researcher records everything with no systems

What is ‘event sampling’

Event sampling is when the researcher creates behaviour categories and records in a tally each time a behaviour is displayed

What is ‘time sampling’

When the researcher creates behaviour categories (or no categories) and records each time a behaviour is displayed in a specific time frame

Why can’t fully informed consent be given in a covert formation?

In a covert observation, participants are unaware they are being observed and cannot give explicit consent

What is ‘inter-observer reliability’?

Inter-observer reliability refers to the extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way.

How can we reduce investigator effect?

To reduce investigator effect, we can conduct a Double blind trial

What is investigator effect?

Investigator effect is when the researcher’s behaviour or expectations unintentionally influence participants or the results of a study.

What is a double blind trial

A double-blind trial is an experiment where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is in which condition (e.g., experimental vs control).

What are behavioural categories?

Clearly defined, observable behaviours used to code and record actions in a structured observation.