1. Unit 1 Research Methods (can be examined in Unit 1&2)
Observation Studies
Unit 1 Research Methods (can be examined in Unit 1&2)

2. Observation Studies
Collecting data by watching and recording the behaviour of people
On its own it’s not an experimental method – there is no IV and DV – no cause or effect
BUT, this technique can be used in experiments as a way of measuring the DV
Observation studies can be:
Natural or controlled
Overt or covert
Participant or non-participant

3. Categories of behaviour
Researchers need to agree on categories of behaviour so that observers agree what to record. Target behaviour: “Playground behaviour” Categories of behaviour: Running, Hopping, Skipping, Standing, Target behaviour: “Use of the pedestrian crossing outside school” Categories of behaviour: Target behaviour: “Aggression at a Football Match”

4. Interobserver Reliability
Observational studies should be carried out by more than one researcher to avoid researcher bias
Researchers agree categories of behaviour before the observation
They compare data after the observation – it should match exactly
If it doesn’t match they need to review the categories of behaviour

5. Evaluation:
Strengths
Weaknesses

6. Evaluation: Strengths Weaknesses
Better than interviews and questionnaires at getting a reliable picture of human behaviour – more valid
People act naturally – more valid data, higher ecological validity
Ethical issues – right to privacy and consent
Observer bias – observer’s prior ideas might influences what they see or hear
Just because a researcher observes a behaviour, they can’t tell why it’s happened

7. Your task: Use observation to watch and record the flirting behaviour in the common room
Aim – to observe flirting behaviour in male-male, male-female, and female-female groups Target behaviour: “Flirting” Categories of behaviour:

8. Task:
Questions on page 87

9. Stanford Prison Experiment