Conducting Observations

Question 1

What Is Behaviour?

Answer 1

Things we can see

Things we can hear

Question 2

What Isn’t Behaviour?

Answer 2

Attitudes
Emotional States
Labels

Question 3

What is an Operational Definition?

Answer 3

Definition of a written in specific or observable terms.

Question 4

What is an observation period?

Answer 4

The time we use to observe behaviour

Question 5

The more frequently a behaviour occurs..

Answer 5

the shorter our observation period can be.

Question 6

Behaviour can change from day to day so..

Answer 6

‘repeated measures’ should be taken to ensure that observations are representative.

Question 7

What is reactivity?

Answer 7

A change in a persons behaviour as a result of being observed.

Question 8

3 ways to reduce reactivity?

Answer 8

1. Making observations as unobtrusive as possible.
2. Being present in environment prior to observations.
3. Videotaping

Question 9

What are the 4 dimensions of continuous measures of behaviour?

Answer 9

1. Frequency.
2. Rate.
3. Duration.
4. Latency

Question 10

What is the frequency calculation?

Answer 10

Number of behaviours/Number of opportunities x100.

Question 11

What is the calculation for rate?

Answer 11

Number of behaviours/Number of minutes of observation x100.

Question 12

Define time sampling:

Answer 12

An estimate of behaviour when it is difficult to get a precise measure.

Question 13

What are the 3 types of time sampling?

Answer 13

1. Whole interval recording.
2. Partial interval recording.
3. Momentary time sampling.