Lesson 9 - Designing Observations, Questionnaires and Interviews Flashcards
Operationalised Behavioural Categories
Specific and observable behaviours to be recorded during an observation
Represent more general construct under investigation
Behavioural Categories
Allow observers to tally observations into pre-arranged groups
Provide a clear focus for the researcher
Enable the proposal of a testable hypothesis
Allow for a more objective/scientific data recording
Provide data that is easier to quantify/analyse
Should result in greater reliability
Observer Bias
Occurs when observer knows aims of study or hypotheses which influences their observations
Use two observers who agree beforehand on interpretation to avoid bias
Leads to inter-observer reliability
Record observation leading to intra-observer reliability
Event Sampling
Recording every time a certain behaviour occurs in a target individual or individuals
Time Sampling
Recording all behaviours within a give time frame
Writing Good Questions
Clarity - participants know what is being asked, no ambiguity, no double negatives or double barrelled questions
Bias - no leading questions
Analysis - closed questions easier to analyse than open but reduces choice
Writing Good Questionnaires
Filler Questions - distracts from main purpose preventing demand characteristics
Sequence of Questions - start with easy
Sampling Technique - could cause biased sample, use stratified sampling
Pilot Studies - test questions on a small group first to refine later
Recording the Interview
An interviewer could take written notes throughout the interview but this is likely to interfere with listening
If researcher does not write something down, interviewee may feel what was said is not valuable
Interviews may be audio recorded or video recorded
Effect of the Interviewer
One strength of interviews is presence of interviewee who is interested increases information provided
Interviewers need to be aware of their non-verbal communication and listening skills
