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.
