Observations correct answers - Can be used alongside other research methods such as case studies and lab experiments
- Can be used on their own
- No IV to manipulate
- All data gathered by observing
What types of data can be gathered using observations? correct answers Quantitative data e.g. ...
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Observations correct answers - Can be used alongside other research methods such as case
studies and lab experiments
- Can be used on their own
- No IV to manipulate
- All data gathered by observing
What types of data can be gathered using observations? correct answers Quantitative data e.g.
observing how many times people act
Qualitative data e.g. describing how people acted aggressively
What are the ways to collect data in observations? correct answers Tallying, event sampling and
time sampling
Tallying in observations correct answers Identify the type of data to record, then record each
instance of something happening on a piece of paper.
Event sampling in observations correct answers Choosing which events are to be observed and
then noting down each time that event occurs.
Time sampling in observations correct answers Observing for certain periods of time. Makes the
observation more manageable.
What are the types of observations? correct answers - Structured/ naturalistic
- Participant/ non-participant
- Overt/ covert
Structured observations correct answers The situation is set up and then what happens is
observed
Strengths of structured observations correct answers - Can be repeated, so results can be
compared between observations, reliable
- Ensures the behaviour takes place, it can take a long time for some behaviour to occur naturally
Weaknesses of structured observations correct answers - Situation is artificial, lack ecological
validity
- The situation might be interpreted differently by different participants, so may not be as
controlled as thought
Naturalistic observations correct answers Takes place in the participants' natural setting
Strengths of naturalistic observations correct answers - Natural environment, so ecologically
valid
- Gather in depth data and detail, data often qualitative and rich
,Weaknesses of naturalistic observations correct answers - Subjectivity because the observer has
to choose what to observe and what to record
- An observation of one group/ individual at one moment in time, data not generalisable to other
people at different times
Participant observations correct answers Observers are part of what they are observing, involved
in the situation, activity or group
Strengths of participant observations correct answers - Ecological validity, observation in a
natural setting
- Observer likely to gather valid data because the behaviour is naturally occurring
Weaknesses of participant observations correct answers - Difficult to replicate because it is
difficult to find an observer who is also a member of the group
- Observer too involved to record all the data, cannot step back from it
Non-participant observations correct answers Observers are not a part of what is being observed,
they sit away from the activity
Strengths of non-participant observations correct answers - Objective, the observer can stand
back from the situation
- Can record data easily because they have time to concentrate
- Tally systematically
Weaknesses of non-participant observations correct answers - Likely to affect the situation just
by their presence
- May miss relevant information and interactions or misunderstand something as they are not part
of the observation
Covert observations correct answers Participants do not know the observation is taking place
Strengths of covert observations correct answers - Behaviour of participants likely to be natural
because they are unaware that they are being observed, validity
- Easier to carry out as the participants are not watching the observer carry out the observation
Weaknesses of covert observations correct answers - Often not ethical because there is no
informed consent, if not carried out in a public place it goes against ethical guidelines
- Observer cannot be helped by participants
Overt observations correct answers The participants know the observation is taking place and
they are aware of all aspects of the study
Strengths of overt observations correct answers - Ethical because informed consent can be
gained and the right to withdraw can be given
- Observers can ask for help to set up the study (where to observe from) or they might want a
further explanation
, Inter observer/ inter-rater reliability correct answers When there is more than one observer,
observations can be compared. Separate sets of data are recorded and tested to see if there is a
correlation between them.
Strengths of thematic analysis correct answers - Flexibility it allows researchers
- Well suited to large data sets
- Allows researchers to expand range of study past individual experiences
- Great for multiple researchers
- Interpretation of themes
- Allows categories to emerge from the data
Weaknesses of thematic analysis correct answers - Reliability is a concern due to wide variety of
interpretations
- May miss nuanced data
- Flexibility makes it difficult to concentrate on what aspect of the data to focus on
- Discovery and verification of themes and codes mesh together
- Limited interpretive power
- Difficult to maintain sense of continuity of data
- Does not allow researchers to make claims about language usage
Content analysis correct answers Gathering data using content of articles, newspapers, media
programmes and books (auditory or visual material). Exploring articles to find key terms or
instances, generating categories.
What are the three types of content analysis? correct answers Conventional content analysis,
directive content analysis and summative content analysis
Conventional content analysis correct answers Picking categories out from the data
Directive content analysis correct answers Theories drive the categories
Summative content analysis correct answers Searching for key words and then counting them
before interpreting the data
How are qualitative and quantitative data gathered from content analysis? correct answers
Qualitative data gathered if the data are formed into a story/ text about categories/ issues.
Quantitative data gathered by tallying of categories/ issues
Strengths of content analysis correct answers - Readily understood, inexpensive research
method. Unobtrusive and doesn't require contact with people
- Powerful tool when combined with other research methods. Useful for analysing historical
material and trends over time
- Establishing reliability is easy and straightforward, scores highest with regard to ease of
replication.
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