Observation Flashcards
What is participant observation?
The researcher involves themselves with that which they are observing
What is naturalistic observation?
the observation is done in the participants’ natural environment
What is structured observation?
Where the observation is guided by the use of specific categories
What is a covert observation?
Where the participants do not know they are being observed
What is event sampling?
Where the act of recording is triggered by the occurrence of the behaviour being observed
What is inter-rater reliability?
When the data from two or more observers is compared to see if they agree with each other about what they saw
What is controlled observation?
When participants are observed in laboratory- type conditions
What is an overt observation?
Where the participants are aware they are being observed
What are coding frames?
A research tool with specific categories, defined prior to the observation, which guide the observation of behaviour
What is unstructured observation?
A non-focused observation generating descriptions (qualitative data) of the range of behaviours going on
What is non-participant observation?
The researcher stands apart from that which they are observing
What is time sampling?
Where the act of recording is triggered by the ending of a set time interval
What are behaviour catagories?
When the target behaviour to be observed (e.g. aggression) is broken down into components that can be observed and measured (e.g. hitting, kicking).
