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