FIELD METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY Dela Cruz, Jeullana P.

BS Psych 3-A

FIELD METHODS 4. Interviews: Involve direct interaction

 Involves collecting data in the with study subjects to gather detailed
natural environment where the information.
phenomenon being studied occurs.
5. Life Stories: Explore the experiences of
Purpose: Field methods aim to gain a individuals or communities to
deeper understanding of human understand historical events or cultural
behavior and mental processes, practices.
considering the influence of social,
cultural, and environmental factors. 6. Discussion Groups: Facilitate
discussions among participants to gain
Data Collection: Data can be collected insights into their social structures or
through various techniques like ideologies.
observation, interviews, surveys, and life
stories. Instruments Used in Field Research

Research Design: Different research 1. Organizing Instruments: Used to sort

designs are employed in field methods, and organize collected data (e.g.,
including: records, guides, files, catalogs).
(1) Pre-experimental
(2) Quasi-experimental 2. Qualifying Instruments: Used to classify
(3) Experimental designs. data based on specific characteristics
(e.g., diagrams, samples, statistical
Field Research Techniques representations).

1. Field Experiments: Involve 3. Diagrammatic or Cartographic

manipulating variables in the natural Instruments: Used to visually represent
environment to observe behavioral data through symbols, images, or maps
changes. (e.g., territorial charts, blueprints, maps).

2. Observation: Can be passive Advantages and Disadvantages of Field

(observing from the outside) or Methods
participant (actively engaging with the
study group). Advantages:
- Ecological Validity: Provides a realistic
3. Surveys: Utilize questionnaires to understanding of behavior in natural
collect data from a large number of settings.
individuals.
FIELD METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY Dela Cruz, Jeullana P.
BS Psych 3-A

- Naturalistic Observation: Allows g. Audio/Video Recording: Obtain

researchers to study behavior as it permission and informed consent before
naturally occurs. using recording devices.
- Contextual Understanding: Provides a
holistic understanding of the interplay Strengths of Field Methods
between individuals and their
environment. - Ecological Validity: Provides a more
- Real-Time Data Collection: Captures realistic understanding of behavior in
behaviors and interactions as they natural settings.
happen. - Naturalistic Observation: Allows
researchers to study behavior as it
Disadvantages: naturally occurs.
- Lack of Control: Difficult to control - Contextual Understanding: Provides a
variables and establish causal holistic understanding of the interplay
relationships. between individuals and their
- Observer Bias: Researchers' biases can environment.
influence observations and
interpretations. Limitations of Field Methods
- Ethical Challenges: Requires careful
attention to privacy, confidentiality, and - Lack of Control: Difficult to control
informed consent. variables and establish causal
relationships.
Guidelines for Conducting Field - Observer Bias: Researchers' biases can
Research influence observations and
interpretations.
a. Objectivity- Maintain objectivity in - Ethical Challenges: Requires careful
observations, avoiding personal bias or attention to privacy, confidentiality, and
judgment. informed consent.
b. Non-Intrusiveness- Avoid interfering
with the natural flow of the setting. I. OBSERVATION
c. Respect for Privacy- Protect the
privacy of individuals being observed. Observation -methods involve watching
d. Confidentiality-Maintain subjects in their natural environment
confidentiality of collected data. without interference, allowing
e. Detailed Notes: Take accurate and researchers to gather real-world data.
detailed notes during observations.
f. Descriptive Language: Use descriptive Types of Observation Methods:
language to capture the nuances of
observed behaviors. 1. Naturalistic Observation: Conducted
in real-world settings, observing
FIELD METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY Dela Cruz, Jeullana P.
BS Psych 3-A

behaviors as they naturally occur. (4)Overt Observation: Participants know

Examples include ethologists observing they are being observed.
animal behavior in the wild,
anthropologists studying cultural Advantages of Observation: Provides
practices, and psychologists observing rich, real-time data and context,
children's play behavior. capturing behaviors in their natural
setting.
2. Participant Observation: The
researcher immerses themselves in a Disadvantages of Observation: Can be
specific social setting or group, actively time-consuming, may involve
engaging in its activities while observing researcher bias, and results may not be
behaviors and interactions. This provides generalizable.
a deeper understanding of the group's
culture and practices. II. INTERVIEWS

Types of Participant Observation: Interviews -are structured conversations

aimed at gathering detailed information
(1)Active Participant Observation: The from participants about their
researcher fully engages in the group's experiences and opinions.
activities.
(2) Passive Participant Observation: The Types of Interviews:
researcher observes without direct
interaction. 1. Structured Interviews – A
(3)Covert Observation: Participants are predetermined set of questions asked in
unaware they are being studied. a specific order.
2. Semi-Structured Interviews- Combine
Challenges of Overt Participant predetermined questions with flexibility
Observation to explore topics in more depth.
3. Unstructured Interviews- More
Hawthorne Effect- Participants may alter conversational, allowing respondents to
their behavior because they know they discuss topics freely.
are being observed, which can affect
the authenticity of the data collected. Advantages of Interviews: Facilitates in-
depth exploration of complex topics,
Potential Bias- Researchers might promotes participant engagement, and
unintentionally influence group clarifies responses.
dynamics through their participation, Disadvantages of Interviews: Can be
complicating the interpretation of influenced by interviewer bias, require
findings. skilled interviewers, and may limit
participant honesty.
FIELD METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY Dela Cruz, Jeullana P.
BS Psych 3-A

III. SURVEYS: ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Surveys 1. Protection of Participants' Rights

 Involve collecting data from a large 2. Well-Being of Participants
group of participants through 3. Privacy and Confidentiality
questionnaires, allowing for statistical 4. Integrity of Research Findings
analysis. 5. Harm to Participants
6. Damage to Researcher Reputation
 The survey method is a systematic 7. Impact on The Field Of Research
approach used to collect data from 8. Legal Implications
a predefined group of respondents
through structured questions.
Quantitative methods
Types of Survey Methods:  Excels in providing objective,
generalizable findings through
1. Online Surveys: Conducted via web statistical analysis, while
platforms.
2. Telephone Surveys: Involve calling  The results of quantitative research
respondents. are often presented in the form of
graphs, tables, and statistical
3. Face-to-Face Surveys: Conducted in summaries, making them clear and
person. easy to interpret and communicate.

4. Mail Surveys: Sent via postal services. Qualitative methods

 Offers rich, in-depth insights into
Advantages of Surveys: Cost-effective, participants' experiences and
efficient for gathering data from large contexts.(participant-centered
populations, and easy to analyze. approach)

Disadvantages of Surveys: Potential for

low response rates, limited depth of
responses, and risk of misinterpretation
of questions.