Observations | Psychology Hacked

The use of the observational research method in psychology, including the gathering of both qualitative and quantitative data (including tallying, event and time sampling).
Types of observation: participant, non-participant, structured, naturalistic, overt and covert.

Naif carried out a participant observation. He was observing the behaviour of students in different classes to investigate whether they behaved differently for different teachers. Naif decided to do an overt observation. Describe how Naif could make his observation of the students overt. (2) October 2017
Misaki created a tally chart to gather her data. Draw a tally chart that Misaki could have prepared in order to gather her data. (2) January 2020

Misaki carried out an observation to investigate whether younger drivers, aged 25 years and below, or older drivers, aged 50 years and above, were more likely to use their mobile/cell phone while driving. She used time sampling. Describe how Misaki may have carried out the observation using time sampling. (3) January 2020
Yoko carried out an observation in a local park. She observed how males and females interacted with other people, to see if there was a difference. She observed how long males spoke to males (Condition A) and how long females spoke to females (Condition B). Yoko observed if they spoke for less than 5 minutes or for 5 minutes or more. Yoko recorded her data using event sampling. Describe how Yoko may have carried out the observation using event sampling. (3) January 2019
Describe how Yoko may have carried out the observation using event sampling. (3) January 2019

Explain one strength and one weakness of the observational research method. (4) October 2017
Describe how Priya could carry out her naturalistic observation. (4) June 2019
Explain two weaknesses of using a naturalistic observation. (4) June 2019
Explain one strength and one weakness of using the observational research method in this study. (4) June 2016
Explain one strength and one weakness of overt observations as a research method. (4) June 2017