CHAPTER 6 OBSERVING BEHAVIOR Approaches l Observational as

CHAPTER 6 OBSERVING BEHAVIOR

Approaches l Observational as ¡ Quantitative ¡ Qualitative methods can be categorized

Naturalistic observation l The description of animals or humans in their natural habitats l The researcher makes observations in a particular natural setting over a period of time l Has roots in anthropology and animal behavior

Naturalistic observation l Description and interpretation of data ¡ Researcher must keep detailed notes to provide accurate picture ¡ A good report should have multiple confirmations of events l Interrater reliability ¡ Data is usually qualitative

Naturalistic observation l Issues ¡ Participation Should researcher participate? If so, should he/she be concealed the group being studies? l Participation allows for l • Close observation • Possible friendships that could help interpretation of data collected l Drawback: loss of objectivity

Naturalistic observation l Issues ¡ Concealment This approach may be preferred to preserve objectivity l Attempts to rule out reactivity of behavior being observed l l Defining ¡ Scope the scope of the observation must sometimes be limited to relevant issues of the study

Naturalistic observation l Limits ¡ Naturalistic observation cannot be used for all issues or phenomena ¡ Less useful for studying well defined hypotheses ¡ Field research is difficult to do ¡ Ever changing patterns makes data analysis difficult ¡ Some observations may be inconsistent l Negative case analysis – revision of hypothesis and reexamination of data

Systematic observation The careful observation of 1 or more specific behaviors in a particular setting l These observations are quantifiable l Coding systems l ¡ l Used to measure behaviors Methodological issues ¡ ¡ Equipment – Reactivity – Reliability – Sampling –

Case studies l Case study – provides a description of an individual ¡ Can also be a setting ¡ Psychobiography – type of case study where a researcher applies psychological theory to explain the life of an individual ¡ Done when an individual is rare or unusual l Patient R. M.

Archival research l Uses previously collected research to answer present research questions l Statistical records l Survey archives l Written and mass communication records l Content analysis of documents

Describing personality and individual differences l Measures ¡ The are defined by each researcher topic is complex l NEO-PI (NEO personality inventory) ¡ Measures 5 dimensions of personality ¡ Used in educational, clinical, & counseling settings l MMPI-II l Vocational Interest inventory