Case Studies and Observational Research Slides Prepared by Alison L. O’Malley Passer Chapter 6.

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Case Studies and Observational Research Slides Prepared by Alison L. O’Malley Passer Chapter 6

Transcript of Case Studies and Observational Research Slides Prepared by Alison L. O’Malley Passer Chapter 6.

Page 1: Case Studies and Observational Research Slides Prepared by Alison L. O’Malley Passer Chapter 6.

Case Studies and Observational Research

Slides Prepared by Alison L. O’Malley

Passer Chapter 6

Page 2: Case Studies and Observational Research Slides Prepared by Alison L. O’Malley Passer Chapter 6.

Case Studies

• In-depth analysis of an individual, social unit, or event•Remember Phineas Gage? •How do psychological scientists conducting case studies acquire their data?

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Case Studies: Concerns

•Difficulty drawing causal conclusions •Generalizability of findings •Potential for observer bias

How can these concerns be overcome?

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Observer Bias: Expectations can color perception

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Observational Research

• Umbrella term for various types of nonexperimental research designs wherein trained observers record ongoing behavior

• Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches

• As opposed to case studies, involve multiple participants

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Observational Research

Naturalistic observationParticipant observationStructured observation

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Naturalistic Observation

• Researcher(s) strive for little to no interaction with participants

• Disguised: participants are not aware they’re being observed

• Undisguised: participants know they’re being observed

I’m watching you!

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Naturalistic Observation

• Behavior examined in “ecologically valid” (i.e., real life) conditions

• But research design lacks control and some data may be overlooked

• Reactivity occurs when behavior is altered through the process of being observed

• Must remain mindful of APA Ethics Code

When are researchers permitted to forego informed consent?

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Participant Observation

• Researchers embed themselves in the phenomena of interest

• Disguised vs. undisguised distinction still applies – participants may not know researchers are among them

• Ethnographic approaches are qualitative and incorporate interviews to develop a narrative of the research topic

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Participant Observation

• Is participant observation more or less subject to reactivity than naturalistic observation?

• Is disguised participant observation ethical?

Critical Questions

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Structured Observation

• Researchers “tweak” the research setting, influencing what happens when

• Sometimes called analogue behavioral observation in keeping with goal of creating “analogues” of naturally occurring situations

• Affords more efficiency and control compared to other forms of observational research, but greater potential for reactivity

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Recording Observations

• Narrative records – extensive description of behavior as it unfolds

• Field notes – less comprehensive records of behavior

• Behavioral coding systems – categorize behaviors into mutually exclusive categories

Discuss whether each approach is more qualitative or quantitative.

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Recording Observations

Develop a coding scheme for handshakes. Make sure that each category is accompanied by a clear operational definition.

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Recording Observations

• Rating and ranking scales – observers evaluate participants’ standing on various dimensions

• Diaries – participants observe and record their own behaviors

Supplements to ongoing behavioral observations

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What observational research strategy isused here? What sort of research questions could this researcher answer based upon her data?

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Sampling Behavior

• Focal sampling – Focus on one participant at a time

• Scan sampling – Observe everyone for a short period of time at predetermined intervals

• Situation sampling – Observe behavior across multiple settings

• Time sampling – Conduct observations over representative set of time periods

Obtaining representative data without recording everything and everyone!

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Practice Question

Questions of external validity pervade observational research. Which sampling strategy may be regarded as the most externally valid? a.Time sampling

b.Scan sampling

c.Focal sampling

d.Situation sampling

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Overcoming Observer Bias

•Well-developed coding system•Observer training•Blind observation •Verify reliability of observer practices

10 6.5

4.5

3.0

Poor interrater reliability !

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Avoiding Reactivity

•Disguised observation (an extreme form of unobtrusive measurement) •Habituation •Physical trace measures •Archival records

Archives

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•How can observational research, correlational research, and experimental research work in concert to help satisfy the goals of science? •Description•Explanation•Prediction•Control

Closing Considerations