ObservationsObservations

Observations – discuss with Observations – discuss with your partneryour partner

• What is observational research?What is observational research?

• What types of observation are there?What types of observation are there?

Types of observationTypes of observation• NaturalisticNaturalistic – observe Ps in their natural – observe Ps in their natural

environmentenvironment

• ControlledControlled – observe Ps in a laboratory-style, – observe Ps in a laboratory-style, artificial environmentartificial environment

Observations can also be:Observations can also be:

• OvertOvert (Ps know they are being observed) or (Ps know they are being observed) or covertcovert (they are unaware of the observation) (they are unaware of the observation)

• ParticipantParticipant (the researcher is involved with the (the researcher is involved with the Ps) or Ps) or non-participantnon-participant (the observer watches, (the observer watches, perhaps from a distance)perhaps from a distance)

Observational techniquesObservational techniques

• StructuredStructured

• Behavioural Behavioural categoriescategories

• Sampling Sampling proceduresprocedures

Event Event

Time Time

• UnstructuredUnstructured

• Record all relevant Record all relevant behaviour but with behaviour but with no systemno system

Strategies to increase Strategies to increase reliabilityreliability• Double blind Double blind – neither Ps nor observer are – neither Ps nor observer are

aware of research aims/allocation of Ps to groupsaware of research aims/allocation of Ps to groups

• OperationalisationOperationalisation – variables are clearly – variables are clearly defined in a checklistdefined in a checklist

• Pilot study Pilot study – a small scale study is carried out – a small scale study is carried out first to check the behaviours are appropriate and first to check the behaviours are appropriate and the checklist is operationalisedthe checklist is operationalised

• Inter-observer reliability Inter-observer reliability – more than one – more than one observer and there must be 80% agreement/a observer and there must be 80% agreement/a positive correlation between behaviours notedpositive correlation between behaviours noted

Match the phrases to the correct place Match the phrases to the correct place in the flow chartin the flow chart

Create a grid in Create a grid in which behaviour which behaviour can be recorded can be recorded

easilyeasily

Pre-prepared Pre-prepared environment vs. environment vs.

Ps natural Ps natural environmentenvironment

What specific What specific types of types of

behaviour are you behaviour are you interested in?interested in?

What is the What is the general Q you general Q you

wish to answer?wish to answer?Analyse dataAnalyse data

Several observers Several observers use coding sheet. use coding sheet. Do they agree?Do they agree?

What specific What specific prediction can prediction can

you make?you make?

Recorded at the Recorded at the scene vs. scene vs.

analysed lateranalysed later

Reject or accept Reject or accept hypotheseshypotheses

Ps aware of being Ps aware of being observed vs. observed vs.

unaware of being unaware of being observedobserved

Exactly which Exactly which behaviours are behaviours are

you going to look you going to look for and count?for and count?

Behaviour Behaviour recorded each recorded each

time it occurs vs. time it occurs vs. at fixed time at fixed time

intervalsintervals

TaskTask

• Match the cut ups to the correct Match the cut ups to the correct place in the table (advantages and place in the table (advantages and disadvantages)disadvantages)