Observational Methods

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Observational Methods

• PSYC 235 Research Methods

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Observational Techniques

• Case studies
• Intensive observation of single participant
• Attempt to exhaustively record data
• Strengths
• Complete understanding of individual case
• Good lead for future studies (idea generation)
• Weaknesses
• Generalizability (external validity)
• Cause-effect (internal validity)

3

• Naturalistic Observation
• Observational techniques in natural context
• Subject Reactivity
• Changes in behavior when you know youre being
  watched
• Methods for minimizing reactivity
• Unobtrustive observations
• Unobtrusive measurements
• Participant observation and ethnography

4

• Archival Methodology
• Utilizing previously existing data sources
• Running records
• Media
• Public and private documents
• Content Analysis
• Steps identify archive, sample, code, analyze,
  conclude
• Problems to look out for
• Selective deposit
• Selective survival

5
Behavioral Sampling

• Similarities to participant sampling
• Cant have it all
• Quality of conclusions rely on quality of sample
• Biased samples are worse than no sample at all
• Methods populations of behavior
• Time sampling
• Probability and non-probability varieties
• Situation sampling
• Coding behavior and assessing reliability

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Inter-rater/observer reliability

• Calculation using Pearson r
• Interpreting correlations
• Positive, zero, negative
• Cause and effect
• Calculation with nominal data
• Number of agreements-------------------------
  X 100 Opportunities