Non-Experimental Methods of Investigating Behaviour - Observational Studies: Structuring an Observation

Question 1

What happens before starting the observation?

Answer 1

• the researcher will decide how the data will be collected and recorded

Question 2

How will information be gathered in a small study?

Answer 2

• in an ad-hoc way
• this is when the researcher continuously records every detail as it happens without a specific time frame
• this is known as an UNSTRUCTURED OBSERVATION

Question 3

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 3

the researcher writes everything and records information as it is happening

Question 4

What is the benefit of an unstructured observation?

Answer 4

has the benefit of producing qualitative data that is rich and detailed

Question 5

What is a problem with unstructured interviews?

Answer 5

• observer bias
• this is because it is hard to control for a person’s subjectivity as they may only record behaviour that they think is relevant or fits their expectations
• this may lead to a reduction in the validity of the research

Question 6

What is a more objective way of carrying out an observation?

Answer 6

• to design a structured observation which produces quantitative data that is easier to analyse and interpret

Question 7

How is a structured observation acheived?

Answer 7

1) identify target behaviour then breaking it down into clearly defined behavioural categories
- for example, if a researcher is observing aggressive playground behaviour, they would create a behavioural checklist of observable behaviours which they would tick every time a child performs one of the behaviours on the checklist

2) decide on a systematic method to sample the data in my observation
- there are 2 methods which could be used: event sampling or time sampling

Question 8

What is event sampling?

Answer 8

continuously watch the target participant’s behaviour and keep a record of the number of times a specific behaviour occurs

Question 9

What is time sampling?

Answer 9

watch the target participant’s behaviour and keep a record of the number of times a specific behaviour occurs within a specific times period (eg every 30 seconds)

Question 10

What is a weakness of structured observations?
How do we reduce this?

Answer 10

• even in the most carefully controlled observations there is a chance that observers will differ in their opinion of a behaviour due to SUBJECTIVITY

to reduce this:
- 2 or more observers are usually used to measure the level of inter-observer reliability
- both observers independently use the same behaviour checklist while watching the same behaviour
- they compare the data
- if the recordings of data are the same, then inter-observer reliability has been achieved