7.1: Observational design Flashcards
Naturalistic observations
Naturalistic observations are:
1. Surveillance
2. Recording
of naturally occurring events
Behavioural categories
Behavioural categories are dividing target behaviours into subsets of behaviours through the use of coding systems
There are several ways in which data can be gathered in naturalistic observations, including what?
There are several ways in which data can be gathered in naturalistic observations, including: 1. Visual recordings 2. Audio recordings Or, 3. 'On-the-spot' note-taking
Observers agree on a grid or coding sheet on which to record the behaviour being studied.
The behavioural categories chosen should reflect what is being studied.
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to do what?
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to: 1. Code Or, 2. Rate behaviour using previously agreed scales
Observers agree on a grid or coding sheet on which to record the behaviour being studied.
The behavioural categories chosen should reflect what is being studied.
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to code or rate behaviour using previously agreed scales.
Coding can involve what to describe what?
Coding can involve:
1. Numbers or letters
to describe
2. Characteristics or observed behaviours
Observers agree on a grid or coding sheet on which to record the behaviour being studied.
The behavioural categories chosen should reflect what is being studied.
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to code or rate behaviour using previously agreed scales.
Coding can involve numbers, like what, or letters to describe characteristics or observed behaviours?
Coding can involve:
1. Numbers, like age of driver, or letters
to describe
2. Characteristics or observed behaviours
Observers agree on a grid or coding sheet on which to record the behaviour being studied.
The behavioural categories chosen should reflect what is being studied.
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to code or rate behaviour using previously agreed scales.
Coding can involve numbers, like age of driver, or letters to describe characteristics, like what, or observed behaviours?
Coding can involve:
1. Numbers, like age of driver, or letters
to describe
2. Characteristics, like M = Male, or observed behaviours
Observers agree on a grid or coding sheet on which to record the behaviour being studied.
The behavioural categories chosen should reflect what is being studied.
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to code or rate behaviour using previously agreed scales.
Coding can involve numbers, like age of driver, or letters to describe characteristics, like M = Male, or observed behaviours, like what?
Coding can involve:
1. Numbers, like age of driver, or letters
to describe
2. Characteristics, like M = Male, or observed behaviours, like T = Talking
Observers agree on a grid or coding sheet on which to record the behaviour being studied.
The behavioural categories chosen should reflect what is being studied.
Rather than writing descriptions of behaviour observed, it is easier to code or rate behaviour using previously agreed scales.
Coding can involve numbers, like age of driver, or letters to describe characteristics, like M = Male, or observed behaviours, like T = Talking.
Observed behaviour can also be rated on structured scales, like what?
Observed behaviour can also be rated on structured scales, like 1 - 5 on a scale of ‘safe driving’
In observational studies, it is difficult to observe all behaviour, especially as it’s usually what?
In observational studies, it is difficult to observe all behaviour, especially as it’s usually continuous
In observational studies, it is difficult to observe all behaviour, especially as it’s usually continuous.
Breaking behaviour down into categories helps, but decisions must also be made about what type of sampling procedure (methods of recording data) to use.
What types of sampling procedures (methods of recording data) are there?
There are 2 types of sampling procedures (methods of recording data):
- Event sampling
- Time sampling
There are 2 types of sampling procedures (methods of recording data) - Event sampling and time sampling.
What is event sampling?
Event sampling is counting the number of times a behaviour occurs in a target:
1. Individual
Or,
2. Individuals
There are 2 types of sampling procedures (methods of recording data) - Event sampling and time sampling.
What is time sampling?
Time sampling is counting behaviour in a set time frame
There are 2 types of sampling procedures (methods of recording data) - Event sampling and time sampling.
Time sampling is counting behaviour in a set time frame, for example what?
Time sampling is counting behaviour in a set time frame, for example recording what behaviour is being exhibited every 30 seconds
Inter-rater reliability is also known as what?
Inter-rater reliability is also known as inter-observer reliability
Inter-rater reliability
Inter-rater reliability is where independent observers consistently code behaviour in the same way
Inter-rater reliability is where independent observers consistently code behaviour in the same way.
Example
For example, 2 observers both agreeing on a score of ‘3’ for safe driving
Inter-rater reliability is where independent observers consistently code behaviour in the same way.
Inter-rater reliability lessons the chances of what?
Inter-rater reliability lessons the chances of observer bias
Inter-rater reliability is where independent observers consistently code behaviour in the same way.
Inter-rater reliability lessons the chances of observer bias, where an observer does what?
Inter-rater reliability lessons the chances of observer bias, where an observer:
1. Sees
2. Records
behaviour in a subjective way
Inter-rater reliability is where independent observers consistently code behaviour in the same way.
Inter-rater reliability lessons the chances of observer bias, where an observer sees and records behaviour in a subjective way, which means what?
Inter-rater reliability lessons the chances of observer bias, where an observer:
1. Sees
2. Records
behaviour in a subjective way, which means seeing what they want to see
What needs to be established before an observation begins?
Inter-rater reliability needs to be established before an observation begins
Inter-rater reliability needs to be established before an observation begins and it is easier to achieve if what?
Inter-rater reliability needs to be established before an observation begins and it is easier to achieve if behavioural categories:
- Are clearly defined
- Do not overlap with each other
Inter-rater reliability is where independent observers consistently code behaviour in the same way.
What does inter-rater reliability involve doing?
Inter-rater reliability involves:
- Comparing the ratings of 2 or more observers
- Checking for agreement in their measurements
Good ways to assess reliability are doing what?
Good ways to assess reliability are:
- The use of video recording
- Getting observers to agree
What are the ways of improving the reliability of an observational study?
The ways of improving the reliability of an observational study are that the:
1. Behavioural categories are coded in a different or clearer way
Or,
2. Observers are well trained in the use of checklists
There are 2 main types of observations, participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also what observations?
There are also:
1. Structured
2. Unstructured
observations
There are 2 main types of observations, participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
What does the observer do in structured observations?
In structured observations, the observer determines the behaviours to be observed
There are 2 main types of observations, participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
What does the observer do in unstructured observations?
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens
Validity refers to what?
Validity refers to whether a study: 1. Measures Or, 2. Examines what it claims to measure or examine
Validity refers to whether a study measures or examines what it claims to measure or examine.
Observations could lack validity for a number of reasons:
1. If participants are aware that they’re being observed, they may do what?
If participants are aware that they’re being observed, they may behave in the way they feel they should behave
Validity refers to whether a study measures or examines what it claims to measure or examine.
Observations could lack validity for a number of reasons:
1. If participants are aware that they’re being observed, they may behave in the way they feel they should behave.
2. Validity can also be reduced by what?
Validity can also be reduced by observer bias
Validity refers to whether a study measures or examines what it claims to measure or examine.
Observations could lack validity for a number of reasons:
1. If participants are aware that they’re being observed, they may behave in the way they feel they should behave.
2. Validity can also be reduced by observer bias.
What is observer bias?
Observer bias is that the observer may:
- Be influenced by expectations
- Not record objectively what happened
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In structured observations, the observer determines the behaviours to be observed.
Structured observations are where the researcher uses what to organise the recording of observations?
Structured observations are where the researcher uses various systems to organise the recording of observations
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In structured observations, the observer determines the behaviours to be observed.
Structured observations are where the researcher uses various systems to organise the recording of observations.
What are the 2 main systems?
The 2 main systems are:
- Behavioural categories
- The sampling procedure
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In structured observations, the observer determines the behaviours to be observed.
Structured observations are where the researcher uses various systems to organise the recording of observations.
The 2 main systems are behavioural categories and sampling.
Structured observations generally provide what data?
Structured observations generally provide quantitative data
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording what?
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most: 1. Eye-catching Or, 2. Noticeable behaviours
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be what?
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be the most: 1. Relevant Or, 2. Important behaviours to record
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be the most relevant or important behaviours to record and is what?
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that:
- Might not be the most relevant or important behaviours to record
- Is highly subjective
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be the most relevant or important behaviours to record and is highly subjective.
Unstructured observations can provide what?
Unstructured observations can provide rich information
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be the most relevant, or important behaviours to record and is highly subjective.
Unstructured observations can provide rich information and can be used as what?
Unstructured observations can:
- Provide rich information
- Be used as a pilot study
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be the most relevant, or important behaviours to record and is highly subjective.
Unstructured observations can provide rich information and can be used as a pilot study to see what?
Unstructured observations can:
- Provide rich information
- Be used as a pilot study to see what kind of behaviours can be recorded in the structured system
There are 2 main types of observations - Participant and non-participant observations.
Observations can also be covert and overt.
There are also structured and unstructured observations.
In unstructured observations, the observer records everything that happens.
Unstructured observations involve the researcher recording the most eye-catching or noticeable behaviours, that might not be the most relevant, or important behaviours to record and is highly subjective.
Unstructured observations can provide rich information and can be used as a pilot study to see what kind of behaviours can be recorded in the structured system.
Unstructured observations produce what data?
Unstructured observations produce qualitative data
There are several ways in which data can be gathered in naturalistic observations, including visual recordings, like what, audio recordings or ‘on-the-spot’ note-taking?
There are several ways in which data can be gathered in naturalistic observations, including:
1. Visual recordings, like videos and photographs
2. Audio recordings
Or,
3. ‘On-the-spot’ note-taking
There are several ways in which data can be gathered in naturalistic observations, including visual recordings, like videos and photographs, audio recordings or ‘on-the-spot’ note-taking using what?
There are several ways in which data can be gathered in naturalistic observations, including:
1. Visual recordings, like videos and photographs
2. Audio recordings
Or,
3. ‘On-the-spot’ note-taking using agreed rating scales or coding categories
Define event sampling (2 marks)
Event sampling is when:
- Observers decide on a specific event relevant to the investigation
- The relevant event is recorded every time it happens