Deshning Observations Flashcards
What are behaviour categories
Where psychologists split a target behaviour into components
Where the components must be:
1) observable
2) measurable
3)clear/simple
4)dont overlap(not too similar)
Why are behaviour categories used when designing observations
To produce a structured record of what the researcher observes
Why do the compenants have to be clear/simple
So observers won’t interpret the events/behaviours differently
Describe event sampling
Counting the number of times a particular behaviour/event occurs
E.G.- counting the number of times a footballer disagrees with the refreee
(The topic being- event sampling of dissent at a football game)
Describe time sampling
recording all behaviours within a time frame
E.G. - what a footballer does when off the ball every (30 seconds)
A strength of Behavioural categories
Increases the objectivity/structure of data collection
As: the target behaviour is precisely defined/
Made observable/measurable
A weakness of using behaviour categories when designing observations
Decrease internal validity
As: some of the target behaviour may not be included
And instead
placed in the dustbin category(behaviours needed that aren’t included)
Strengthsof using event sampling when designing observations
1)Useful for events that happen frequently
For example:
it would be useful to use event sampling
When ur observing technique of passing in a football game(happens a lot)
2)Records all behaviours
A Drawback of using event sampling when designing observations (same as time drawback)
May lack detail
If: the event is complex
As observers may miss important details
A strength of using time sampling
It decrease the number of observations that need to be made
As: it focuses on the specific time intervals
rather than continuous monitoring
