Observation Flashcards
Five. Key question of observation
Who (age [16 or above], gender, from where, number [max 20]) 
What (structured observation, unstructured observation)[operationalised] (coding frame, raw data table)
Where (only acceptable in public situation where those observer would expect to be observed by stranger)
When (the day during the week, the time during the day, season of the year)
How?
Definition of unstructured observation
Nonfocused
Generating description /qualitative data of the range of behaviour going on
Definition of structured observation
The observation of behaviour is guided by the use of specific behavioural category, define Prior to the observation through the development of what is known as a coding frame
Coding frame
Allowed of server to focus on specific behavioural event and the frequency, with which they occur
Guidelines of developing a coding frame
Focus: concentrate on behaviour that are relevant to hypothesis
Utility : consider whether has a record the information it was supposed to use it. If not, if you change your skin, if the item is essential, or leave it out if not
Operational definition : ensure that it is possible from the definition to decide which behaviour do not fall into the category
Objectivity : your definition should not require the observer to make inference about the party spend their behaviour should be explicit code action, rather than state
Context independence : were possible, behavioural codes should be consistent over different contexr
Exhaustive: codes should cover of possible behaviour. This mean Tate and not record, waste basket category.
Mutually exclusive : at any time in the recording of one code should preclude the need to record another simultaneously. This may however, be impractical or in appropriate in some situation.
Advantage and disadvantage of structured and unstructured observation
Structure
Advantage
Quantitative data, allowed, analyse and compare
Higher reliability , clear, category, consistent, standardise
Disadvantage
Lack of insight a reason why for our behaviour/may not fully understand why behaviour are happening
(Both)
Lower validity , may missed out important information so we are not measuring what we want (if its too precise)
Unable to spot out unusual behaviour
Vise versa
Advantage and disadvantage of using CCTV for observation
Advantage
Stop and replay
Less limitation in vision
From different part /aspect, allowed full view
Disadvantage
Can not see anyone have the back facing camera
Too many people at once, cannot observe
advantage and disadvantage of participant and non participant observation
participant
advantage
- collect more data as you are in amongst the group (better view, more detail)
- access certain groups (e.g. prison/ hospital) which cant do non participant observation
Disadvantage
- miss out some info depending on the setting as you are in the same place as the participant
- social desirability bias (participant may change their acti to fit in with the group)
non participant
advantage
- less chance of the researcher affecting other behaviour as they are not in amongst the group when data collect , natural behaviour. increase validity
- easier to conduct using cctv camera
Disadvantage
- missout behaviour as they are not with the participant
- difficult to investigate some topic without being there at the time of the research
definition of participant observation
the researcher to be involved with those that are being observed
definition of non participant observation
the researcher could try to stand apart from what they are observing and look at it from the outside
Advantage and disadvantage of covert and overt observation
covert
A- high construct validity (participant are not aware they are being observe so should t have change their behaviour, natural)
D- ethical issue (no right to withdraw, maybe protection from harm)
*consented - in public place
vise versa
definition of covert observation
participant are unaware that they are being observed {cover}
definition of overt observation
participant know that they are being observed {open}
definition of event sampling
The observer keeps count of each time a particular pr-determined behaviour occur thorugh out the whole period of time of observation
definition and type of time sampling
the time period is broke up int a series of time interval, and behaviours are related to these time interval
one-zero sampling: during each time interval, a record is made if the chosen behaviour occur at all. no further record is made if that behaviour occur again with in that interval
Instantaneous scan sampling: no record made until the end of the time interval.at this instant a record is made of any behaviour that are occuring
Predominant activity sampling: observation is continuous and an estimate is made in relation to the activity that occupied most of the preceding time interval.
advantage and disadvantage of event sampling
event sampling
A - record data continuously –> high validity (make a note of what is happening for the whole interval time period)
D - difficult for researcher (they might lose focus, not recording everything, low validity)
Time sampling
A- less chance of researcher losing focus as they only record at certain time interval
D- miss behaviour as they are not recording information between the time point
advantage and disadvantage of naturalistic and controlled observation
Naturalistic
A- enable the researcher to see the real life behaviour , high validity
D- difficult to retain clear sight of all the behaviour that occur, so might miss out
- lack of controls, extraneous variable might affect construct validity
researcher/ observer bias definition
if the researcher has a particular expectation of what they are likely to see during the observation period, they could be more likely to record the data in the way they expected
researcher / observer effect definition
if the participant are aware of the observer watching them then it may result in the participant changing their behaviour and the data recorded not being a truly accurate representation of what individuals would do in the given situation.
advantage and disadvantage to get an independent researcher to carry out the observation
a- ensure result are objective, not affect by the researcher bias
d- extra effort/ expense, and no guarantee they won’t affect by own biases/ prejudice
advantage and disadvantage of train the observer
a - ensure they are consistent with one another in how to apply coding frame
d- even with training, some behaviour not anticipate/ unclear
advantage and disadvantage of pilot study
a - bring out what issue like to be (unanticipate behaviour/ how to categorize)
d- not all behaviour can be crop up , some unecpected
Definition of naturalistic observation
Experiment carried out in natural environment
Definition of controlled observation
Observation carryout in laboratory setting, where are the extraneous variable is controlled
