Research Methods Naturalistic Observations
Techniques for Data Collection
Narrative Records Checklists
Two Types of Observational Research Designs
Naturalistic Observation Participant Observation
expectancy effects
observer bias difficulty replicating when there are experimenter biases
percent agreement
# of agreements _____________________x 100 # of opportunities for agreement
reactivity
(threat to internal validity-1)-the tendency for behavior to change when participants know that they are being observed
observer bias
(threat to internal validity-2)-bias introduced into data collection by the beliefs and attitudes of the observer
Biases Resulting from the Use of Nonhuman Observers
-Biases Resulting from the Use of Nonhuman Observers -video recording-does not have peripheral vision of human - either must still be interpreted and coded
problems with observational studies
-Influence of the Observer on Behavior -Expectancy Effects -Biases Resulting from the Use of Nonhuman Observers
Types of Data Collected
-frequency of behavior -duration of behavior -timing of behavior -ratings of behavior
situation sampling
-observations are made in different settings and circumstances (diff trials) -increases the likelihood that the play behavior is representative of all children's play behavior and not just the play of a specific neighborhood
sampling techniques
Behavior Sampling Situation Sampling
influence of the observer on behavior
Hawthorne effect reactivity
static
checklist-for recording characteristics that do not change, e.g., setting, gender age
Field Experimetns
controlled studies that occur in a natural setting (what would you do)
naturalistic offer the best...
ecological validity
Field work causes greater...
ecological validity -Field experiments allow the researcher more control over the environment than do naturalistic observation, but at the risk of biased observations and of influencing the situation being observed.
field experiments provide greater...
external validity
action checklist
for recording presence/absence of specific behaviors, e.g., talking, texting, etc.
data collection- narrative
information for several participants or for one participant can be gained from narrative records, if they are complete enough or can be recorded directly on appropriately designed checklists
time sampling
involves dividing the behavior stream into arbitrary time intervals (such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds or 60 seconds). Each interval is then scored for the presence or absence of the specified behaviors (face touch) -* appropriate when the behaviors of interest occur on a nearly continuous basis
habituation
researcher appears in the setting numerous times until his/her presence no longer appears to affect the participants' behavior
participant observation
researcher is an active participant in the situation
Narrative Records
running records of behavior * issues / observer interpretation and subjectivity * operational definitions of less use * audio recording / transcription
event sampling
the characteristic feature of event sampling is that it focuses on a specific act or event (fighting) -* appropriate when behaviors occur less frequently
data reduction
the coding of notes and tapes to reduce the amount of information obtained to a more manageable level
reliability
the consistency with which a measurement yields the same results
interobserver reliability
the degree to which a measurement procedure yields consistent results when used by different observers
Hawthorne effect
the effect of the observer on the behavior of participants (observation made them work harder)
ecological validity
the extent to which study results can be readily generalized to real life
external validity
the extent to which the results of an investigation can be generalized beyond the original study
undisguised participant
the other participants are aware the researcher is observing their behavior
disguised participant
the other participants do not know that the researcher is observing their behavior (rosenhan)
desensitization
the researcher gradually moves closer to the participants until he/she can sit near or even among them
Behavior Sampling
time sampling event sampling
naturalistic observation
unobtrusive observation of behavior in a natural setting (Jane Goodall)
Checklists
used to guide observations