Observational Design Flashcards
Unstructured Observations
Researcher writes down everything they see with no system. Does not use methods.
U Strengths
Qualitative data so in depth and detail.
Useful in pilot studies as can assume these behaviours seen in real thing so can create a structured system.
U Weaknesses
Qualitative data takes longer to analyse and difficult to record.
Risk of researcher bias as not objective, so record different as to what is there.
Only record data seen so most visible and eye catching behaviour which may not be most important or useful behaviour.
Structured Observations
Involves researchers recording behaviour using methods which help record behaviours better.
S Strengths
Quantitative data so easier to record and systematic analyse is faster.
Behavioural categories objective.
S Weaknesses
Quantitative data lacks depth.
Behavioural Categories
When behaviour is broken up into a set of behavioural categories. Need to be specific and identifiable.
B Strengths
Objective which limits bias as long as it does not require further interpretation.
B Weaknesses
Hard to cover all possible components whilst avoiding a ‘wastebasket’ category.
Must be mutually exclusive which is hard.
Time Sampling
When behaviour is recorded in a given time frame.
T Strengths
Time efficient, so it is good for long observations.
T Weaknesses
Unrepresentative of the whole.
Event Sampling
When they count the number of times particular behaviour occurs in a target individual.
E Strengths
Useful when events happen infrequently as could be missed.
It is good if short time frame needed as representative.
E Weaknesses
If specified event is too complex then may overlook important details.
