PSYC 300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Psychopathy, Physical Attractiveness, Inter-Rater Reliability
27 Feb 2017
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Research methods for the behavioral sciences chapter 7. Observational research - involves making observations of behavior and recording in an objective manner: scientist may choose to remain strictly an observer or not. Must also decide whether to let participants know that observation is occurring: unacknowledged participant. Advantage: concealment allows most honest reactions and information. Disadvantage: researcher may have difficulty remaining objective (biases from interaction may arise), ethical dilemmas of confidentiality, activities of observer may influence the process of being observed: acknowledged participant. Sometimes acknowledgment is necessary, like if behavior is difficult to gain access to. However: habituation may occur and researcher will eventually be: acknowledged and unacknowledged observers treated as member of group. Researcher can choose nonparticipant approach (doesn"t or can"t be part of the observed group) Advantage: more objectivity because no close relationships are developed, gives observer more time to do job of watching/recording data (may be substantially effortful to maintain a cover and act the part)
