Observation design

Question 1

what are behavioural categories?

Answer 1

when behaviour to be observed is broken down into observable, measurable components (sometimes referred to as a ‘behavioural checklist’)

Question 2

behavioural categories is essentially the same as what? (hint: begins with an o)

Answer 2

operationalise

Question 3

if you come up with behavioural categories they must be what? and mustn’t what?

Answer 3

relevant and specific and they mustn’t be up for interpretation

Question 4

behavioural categories may include the use of what codes?

Answer 4

numbers or letters or rating scales

Question 5

behavioural categories are decided …. to the ……. taking place, the observer(s) then ….. these behaviours.

Answer 5

PRIOR / OBSERVATIONS / TALLY

Question 6

what is inter-observer reliability?

Answer 6

two or more observers decide on categories, watch behaviour from same place and same time, tally the behaviours, compare their results, looking for +0.8 correlation coefficient for reliability

Question 7

observations may be recorded so if there are what they can do what?

Answer 7

iscrepancies they can re-watch and agree a consistent interpretation.

Question 8

a behavioural checklist must be what?

Answer 8

These categories can be easily tallied, they are specific, non-overlapping and unambiguous