True or False? 1. Observational studies are

investigations where the researcher manipulates an IV.

2. All types of research involve some element of observation

3. Observational studies always have demand characteristics

4. Validity refers to whether a study measures or examines what it claims to measure or examine.

5. An undisclosed observation (or covert) is a type of observational study whereby the participants are not fully aware that they are being studied

6. A structured observation occurs when the researchers control some variables.

7. A coding scheme generally provides qualitative data

8. A participant observation does have a problem that the observer may lose some objectivity.

9. A controlled observation occurs when the researchers control some variables.

10. Observational studies tend to be high in ecological validity.

Lesson ObjectivesBy the end of the lesson you …

• Must be able to describe (AO1) the observational method and its components.

• Should be able to evaluate the observational method.

Pg 6-8

Observation

• Participant Observations– Take part in what you’re observing

• Non-Participant Observations– Just observe – no interaction

• Disclosed (overt) Observations– Participants aware of observer

• Undisclosed (covert) Observations– Participants unaware of observer Ethics!

Observer effectAct differently

Objectivity?

Observation

• Structured Observation– Coding scheme is used to record behaviour– Quantitative data collected

• Unstructured Observation– Researchers just record what’s going on– Qualitative data collected (usually)

• Controlled Observations– Researchers manipulate some variables

Event Sampling

Time Sampling

Observation - Sampling

Event Sampling• Coding Scheme• Researcher records

an event every time it happens.

• If too many things happen at once it may be difficult to record everything.

Time Sampling• Researcher decides

on a time and then records what is occurring a at that time

• Some behaviours will be missed therefore the observation may not be representative.

Observation

Reliability

• Difficult to replicate observation – confounding variables.

• Check consistency within observations with inter-rater reliability (≥ 0.8)

• Improve reliability by using good coding scheme.

Validity

• If participants know = low validity

• Observer bias = low validity

• Improve by using wider categories or single-blind technique

BPS Ethical Concepts (1990)

• Informed consent of participant

• Right to withdraw• Debriefing• Deception

• Observation • Protection of

participants• Colleagues • Confidentiality• Competence

When conducting research psychologists should adhere to these.

• C• D• C• D• W• P

AN

O

AN’T

O

ITH

ARTICIPANTS

• C• D• C• D• W• P

ONSENT

ECEPTION

OMPETENCE

EBRIEFING

ITHDRAWAL

ROTECTION

What are they thinking?

Validity Reliability

Check Conduct an survey

Inter-rater reliability

Improve Covert observations

Agreed coding scheme

Key Terms - Observation

• Ecological Validity• Non-participant Obs. • Participant Obs.• Undisclosed (covert)• Disclosed (overt)• Structured • Unstructured• Coding Scheme• Controlled Observation

• Event Sampling• Time Sampling• Reliability • Inter-rater Reliability• Validity• Categories• Ethics• Quantitative Data• Qualitative Data• Coding Scheme

• Must be able to describe (AO1) the observational method and its components.

• Should be able to evaluate the observational method.