Surveys and Observations 3/11

Definition: Observer expectancy bias is a phenomenon where observers become too involved in the observation process, leading them to see behaviors they expect to find, regardless of their actual occurrence.
Implications: This bias can significantly affect the accuracy of data collected in research studies.

Objective Observations: To combat this bias, observations should be made as objective and accurate as possible.
- Implementing a clearly defined checklist of behaviors ensures consistency across observations and reduces subjective interpretation.
Training Observers: A critical process is called calibration.
- Observers undergo training using pre-recorded videos where behaviors are to be observed based on known answers, helping them to calibrate what constitutes correct observations.
Inter-Rater Reliability: It’s essential to assess inter-rater reliability by having at least two raters or observers examine the same scene or subjects.
- This method allows for comparisons to ensure the accuracy and consistency of observations.

Definition of Blindness in Observations: To minimize bias, observers should be blind to the overarching research questions, hypotheses, and participants’ group assignments.
- This limits their influence on the participants' behaviors, focusing them solely on the variable they are observing.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: This term describes when the behavior of participants is influenced by the behavior of the observers.
- Observers may interact with participants in ways that elicit behaviors consistent with their expectations.

Just like with blind observations, if the observers are unaware of the study's hypotheses and participants' group memberships, they are likely to be less biased in their observations.
- Knowledge of participant characteristics might influence their interpretation and reporting of behaviors.

Definition: The Hawthorne effect, also known as reactivity, occurs when individuals modify their behavior in response to being observed.
- Participants may alter their actions simply because they are aware they are part of a study.

Unobtrusive Observation: It is crucial to observe participants without drawing attention to the observation process itself.
Long Observation Duration: Observing participants for extended periods allows them to acclimate to the observation, thus diminishing the impact of the Hawthorne effect over time, allowing behaviors to return to baseline.

Example Question: What is the biggest threat to construct validity in a study associated with participant sitting behavior?
- Responses indicate a consensus on Hawthorne effect and observer expectancy bias being potential threats.
- Participant behavior can be altered if they are aware of being photographed, leading to self-consciousness about their sitting posture.
Observer Expectancy Case: Awareness of participants' characteristics by observers could bias their judgments, leading to reliance on stereotypes, hence affecting outcomes.

Factors to consider for construct validity include:
- How well observers understand the tasks assigned to them.
- Clarity of what constitutes valid behavior for measurement.
- Consideration of situational contexts that might affect participant behavior or observer interpretation.

Training Multiple Raters: Providing training to several observers on separate elements of a study without disclosing the entire study reduces the chance of introducing bias.
Double-Blind Procedures: Implement procedures where neither assistants nor observers know critical aspects of the study, maintaining objectivity in observations.
Unintrusive Researcher Behavior: Researchers must strive to minimize their presence's influence on participant behavior during observations to prevent data skewing.

Technical terms related to psychology or medical observations were clarified during group discussions about a case study involving social behavior observations.
Participants discussed different methods of assessing sociability through aspects such as observing body language and audio/video recordings.
Trained coders were referenced as part of the methodology to categorize behavior accurately, including exposure to rhinoviruses in observed environments, emphasizing the data collection process.