Observation - Methods in Context: Structured Observation Flashcards
What schedules do highly structured observation methods use?
Pre-categorised observational schedules
What sociologists prefer structural observation methods?
Positivists
Why does a particular group prefer structural methods?
Because they enable them to identify and make quantitative measurements of behaviour patterns
What type of observation are structural methods usually?
Usually non-participant
Example of a structured observational schedule favoured by positivists?
Flanders System of Interaction Analysis Categories (FIAC is what you need to remember)
What is the FIAC used to measure? (Practical issues)
Pupil-pupil and pupil-teacher interaction quantitatively
What does the FIAC use to record interactions? (Practical issues)
A standard chart
What does the FIAC place each structured observation in? (Practical issues)
1 out of 10 pre-defined behaviour categories
How can structured observations be easily converted into quantitative data? (Practical issues)
By counting the number of times each behaviour occurs
Why are structured observational methods quicker, cheaper and requiring of less training than less structured methods?
Because of their simplicity
What are structured observation methods likely to easily be? (Reliability)
Easily be replicated
Why are findings of structured observations easy to compare with other studies? (Reliability)
Because they generate quantitative data
What do Interpretivists criticise structured observations of classroom interaction for lacking?
For lacking validity
Structured observations are a quantitative method. What does this mean they ignore according to Interpretivists?
It means that they ignore meanings that pupils and teachers attach to classroom interaction
