observation Flashcards
unstructured observation
not looking for particular behaviours
structured observation
actively looking out for particular behaviours
behavioural categories
Clearly defined, specific actions that can be observed and recorded as examples of the target behaviour
coding frame
Allow for more specific behaviours to be observed with in a behaviour category. Codes and abbreviations can be used to record the severity of behaviours or a different sub-type within a category.
Example of Behavioural Category – Kicking, Punching
Example Codes – Kung Fu Kick – KFK,
Severity of strength of the Kicks–K1,K2,K3,K4,K5
naturalistic observation
observing participants in their natural environment. It’s often used where it would be unethical to manipulate variables.
controlled observation
In a controlled experiment, an independent variable (the cause) is systematically manipulated, and the dependent variable (the effect) is measured; any extraneous variables are controlled.
participant observation
a research methodology where the researcher is immersed in the day-to-day activities of the participants
non participant observation
observing participants without actively participating
covert observation
the researcher is “undercover”; the participants are unaware that they are being observed
overt observation
people know they are being observed
event sampling
It is where an observer records the number of times a certain behaviour occurs.
time sampling
Time sampling is a method of sampling behaviour in an observation study and is where an observer records behaviour at prescribed intervals. For example, every 10 seconds.
researcher/observer bias
Occurs when the observers know the aims of the study study or the hypotheses and allow this knowledge to influence their observations.
researcher/observer effect
people change their behavior when they know they are being observed in a study
inter rater reliability
It refers to the extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way
