9. Observational Design (AS) Flashcards
What are structured observations?
Structured observations observations allow the researcher to quantify their observations using a predetermined list of behaviours and sampling methods.
What are the evaluation points for structured observations?
They make the recording of data easier and more systematic.
The data produced is that need to be numerical which means analysing and comparing the behaviour observed is more straightforward.
They provide less depth and detail information.
What are unstructured observations?
And unstructured observation tends to produce accounts of behaviour that are rich in detail this is when the researcher simply want to write down everything they say.
What are the evaluation points for unstructured observations?
They produce quantitative data which is more difficult to record and analyse.
They produce data which is formal rich in depth and detail.
There may be a greater risk of observer bias as the objective behavioural categories that are a feature of structured observations are not present here.
What are behavioural categories?
When the target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable.
What is the purpose of behavioural categories?
Behavioural categories aim to make target behaviours observable and measurable by precisely defining them this is to avoid differences of interpretation meaning results aren’t reliable.
What are the three sampling methods?
Continuous sampling/recording, event sampling, time sampling.
What is continuous recording and when is it appropriate?
All instances of the target behaviour all recorded this should not be used for observing very complex behaviours.
What is event sampling and when is it appropriate?
This involves the counting the number of times particular behaviour occurs in a target individual or group. This should be used for both simplistic & complex behaviours.
What is time sampling and when is it appropriate?
Involves recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame. They can be used for both simplistic and complex behaviours.
What are the evaluation points for something methods?
Event something is useful when target behaviours happen infrequently.
If the event is too complex - may overlook important details when using event sampling.
Time sampling is effective in reducing the number of observations - more likely to un representative of the observation as a whole.
What are the evaluation points the behavioural categories?
They can make data collection was structured and objective.
Categories only work if they are clear and unambiguous.
Researchers must ensure that all forms of target behaviour on the checklist or else behaviour will be missed.
The categories must be exclusive and not overlap – there should be no dustbin category.
What is into observer reliability?
what is its purpose?
When data is recorded by at least two researchers to make sure the details aren’t missed and to ensure that there is as little bias in the research as possible.
What are the four steps in inter observer reliability?
Familiarise themselves with the behavioural categories.
Observe the same behaviour at the same time as part of a pilot study.
Compare the data they have recorded and discuss any differences in interpretation.
Analyse the data from the study, calculate inter observer reliability by correlating each pair of observations.
