Observation Techniques

LO - All: Identify different methods of observationMost: Evaluate different observational techniques

Some: Explain how the choices we make affect the quality and nature of the data we gather

Scenario.....

• A pilot study has indicated that boys and girls play differently. Boys have been shown to engage more in rough and tumble play (eg pushing, hitting) and girls have been shown to engage in more co-operative play (eg clapping games, skipping games).

• A psychologist wants to study the differences between boys’ and girls’ play in primary schools and have asked the head teachers of several schools for permission to observe children playing.

How could you set up the observation?

___________ vs Controlled *(Ecological validity?)

Unstructured vs __________ *(Inter-observer reliability?)

___________ vs Event sampling *(Problem with time-smp?)

___________ vs Non-participant *(Validity?)

Overt vs _________ *(Demand characteristics?) *(Ethics?)

-> Link this to The Strange Situation

Watch 2 Video Clips & Answer Questions

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgTpAoJEXaE

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LxWdGF0yuo

Questions

• Complete practice questions on observation techniques

Plenary

* List the 5 different observation strategies.