Observation method of psychology

Method of psychology

1. Sajay Lawrence S English OBSERVATION METHOD OF PSYCHOLOGY

2. Observation is one method for collecting research data. It involves watching a participant and recording relevant behaviour for later analysis. Albert Bandura , a psychologist and learning theorist who first proposed social learning theory can be credited for first having noted observational learning. It is a powerful tool of psychological enquiry. Deliberate and purposeful. INTRODUCTION

3. Selection : Selecting a particular aspect of observation. Recording: To keep an account about the observed aspect in writing or some other permanent form. Analysis : Examining the element or structure of the observed aspects in detail. Interpretation: Explaining the aspects of the observation or providing measurements. Stages of Observation

4. Naturalistic. Controlled. Structured and Unstructured. Participant and Non-Participant. Types of Observation

5. Observing people in their normal environment. Often used in the study of animal behaviour. Naturalistic Observation

6. Advantages . Used to generate new ideas. . The entire situation can be studied. . More insight is gained. Disadvantages . Not possible to observe all types of behaviour in a natural setting. . Many instances of behaviour do not repeat themselves. Advantages & Disadvantages

7. Carried out in a laboratory. The observer decides where the observation takes place, at what time and under what circumstances. Standardized procedures are used. Controlled Observation

8. Advantages . Can be easily replicated by other researchers by using the same observation schedule. . Observer can have control over variables. . A less time consuming method compared to naturalistic observation. Disadvantages . Participants behave differently since they know they are being observed. Advantages & Disadvantages

9. Also called Systematic Observation. Coding scheme is used by researchers.  It is a data collecting method in which researchers gather data without direct involvement with the participants. Structured Observation

10. Example for Structured Observation

11. Advantages . Greater control of sampling. . Measurement of error. . Permits stronger generalization and checks on reliability and validity. . Similar to a survey but questions are not asked. Disadvantages . Language and cultural barrier. . People may behave unnaturally as they know that they are being observed. Advantages & Disadvantages

12. Involves the researchers recording the behaviour they can see. Advantage : Provide rich qualitative data. Disadvantage: Can be difficult without the use of recording equipment. For example, observing children playing with their new toys, field observations or suveys . Unstructured Observation

13. Participant observation involves active participation of the observer. Participant observation is of two types, one where the participants are aware that they are being observed which is called overt participant observation and the other where participants are not aware that they are being observed which is called overt participant observation. Participant Observation

14. Advantages . Researcher able to be honest with the group in overt participant observation. . Covert participant observation may be the only way to gather knowledge on illegal activity. . Not knowing they are being observed avoids ‘observer effect’. Disadvantages . May lose objectivity and become biased. Advantages and Disadvantages

15. . If researcher is ‘undercover’, he has to be very covert about his research. . The researcher may influence what happens.

16. Non Participant observation involves observing participants without actively participating. Advantages . Participants tend to act more realistically. . Researcher has no influence over the situation. Disadvantages . Observer may not get a feel of what is happening . . Harder to find or back-up a hypothesis without influencing the participants. Non Participant Observation

17. Observation is an important method of data collection. Different types of observation exist. Nevertheless, has limitations that need to be overcome by complementing with other research methods like interviews of participants and use of experiments. Conclusion