Systematic Observations

1
Systematic Observations

• -Observe w/ questions/hypotheses
• -method can be objectively evaluated

2
Methodological Triangulation(Campbell Fiske,
1959)

• Use of multiple methods
• Each may be imperfect

3
Quantitative vs Qualitative

• Quantitative methods
• Reports of conversation,
• Visual observation
• Participant observation
• Interested in holistic picture
• Quantitative methods observations in numerical
  form, example?
• Often coexist
• Self report and experiment
• Debriefing following experiment

4
Naturalistic Observation

• Observation of behavior in natural state
• Useful in preliminary investigation
• Not easily captured in lab
• Test generalizability of lab experiments

5
Types of Naturalistic Observations

• Participant-observer research
• What and record what people do and say
• Participant refers to investigator
• Example
• Interpreter biases
• Opportunistic sampling
• Example Kidder (1972) on hypnosis
• Ethnographic study similar to above
• Content analyses of archival data
• Reference database of records (e.g., sales,
  actuarial)
• Secondary observation
• Lab study observational
• Overestimate situational, underestimate
  individual difference factors
• Field experiments

6
Content analyses

• Intercoder reliability
• Code whats relevant
• Sampling procedure
• Random
• Stratified
• Systematic
• Advantage
• Commonsense logic
• Labor intensive but cheap
• Can add info, what experiments cant

7
Rival Hypotheses

• Show you are aware of it
• Take measures to address it
• Can be addressed by field and lab experiments

8
Field experiments

• Evoke behavior by modifying aspects of situation
• More experimental and mundane realism
• Experimental realism feels real to subjects
• Mundane realism resembles the real world
• Example
• Self fulfilling prophecy or Pygmalion Effect
  (Rosenthal Jacobson, 1968)
• Reactive vs nonreactive observation
• Does vs. doesnt affect behavior observed
• Example Clinical weight control, lost letter
• Concealed vs. partial concealment
• Unobtrusive observation

9
Judges as Observers

• Selecting judges
• Use of checklist/tally sheets
• Pilot testing

10
Self-report Measures

• Open vs closed-endedExample
• Advantage of open-ended
• Disadvantage of open-ended

11
Personality Measures

• Projective tests
• Rorschach Test
• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)