Key terms YOU need to know about observations
Feb 23, 2016
Key terms YOU need to know
about observations
DEFINITIONS
To observe secretly, so your
participants do not know they
are being watched
Using observation to watch what participants do as a result of an experiment you have set up
Two or more observers agree on
the scoring of the
behaviours being
studied
To turn a concept into
precise definitions of
observable, measurable
behaviours
To observe a
group by
joining that
group and
observing ‘from
within’
Making a
note of what
is happening
at every
point on a
given timescale
Observing by looking at
second-hand
data, eg TV ads
or newspaper articles
To do an
observation
where your
participants
know that you
are watching
and making
notes
A list of items to
look out for when
conducting an
observation
Recording every
time a
particular
behaviour is
observed
Coding behaviours by being physically present wherever your participants are – observing ‘live’
Using observation as the only method of studying your participants
To observe a
group without
becoming a
part or member
of that group
EXAMPLES
• A psychologist wants to find out whether belonging to the WI improves your levels of self-esteem. She becomes a member of her her local group, makes some jam on jam-making night, attends all the talks, and makes friends with lots of the group members.
A professor wants to discover whether students communicate less with the people they are with if they have their mobile phones with them.
She sits at the back of sixth form lessons for a week but does not interact with her participants.
Erving Goffman, in his study
of mental hospitals, worked
in an asylum for the mentally
ill as Assistant Athletic
Director. Only a couple of
staff knew why he was
there, and via this method
he was able to uncover the
'unofficial reality' of life in a
mental institution.
A researcher decides to study biker gangs and their alcohol habits. She asks a local chapter of the Hell’s Angels if she can follow them around for a month, making notes about their drinking routines on a pad and using a video camera.
Aggression Stamping, thumping, shouting
Happiness Smiling, laughing, saying ‘hooray’
Excitement Jumping up and down, fidgeting
Self esteem Scores on a self-esteem scale
TALLY
Smiling
Winking
Nodding
Shrugging
STUDY TO INVESTIGATE NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Two observers collecting data means that you can be more sure that behaviours are being interpreted consistently, and your data will be less subjective
Dr Nohow wants to
investigate whether heat
affects people’s mood. He
sets up a sauna and gets
half his Ps to watch a
weepie movie in it. He
watches through the window
how they behave. The other
half watch the film in an
igloo he has created while
he makes notes about what
they do.
Prof. Bighead wants to investigate people’s eating
habits whilst they are shopping. She collects her
data by standing in a shopping centre watching the Saturday crowds but does not interfere in any way or collect any other
type of data as well