Observational Design Flashcards
What is unstructured observation?
Every instance if behaviour is recorded in as much detail as possible
This is useful if the behaviour you are interested in does not occur very often
What is structured observation?
The researcher uses various ‘systems’ to organize observations such as sampling techniques or behavioral categories
What are behavioral categories?
When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable
What is event sampling?
When a target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records the event every time it occurs
What is time sampling?
A target individual or group is first established then the research her records their behaviour in a fixed time frame (eg. Every 60 seconds)
What is a pro of using event sampling?
Useful when behaviour happens infrequently
What is a con of event sampling?
If the specified event is complex the observer may overlook important details
What is a pro of time sampling?
Reduces the number of observations that have to be made
What is a con of time sampling?
The times behaviour is sampled might be unrepresentative of the observation as a whole
What are the pros of behavioral categories?
Makes data collection more structured and objective
Doesn’t require further interpretation
Observation can be replicated
What are the pros of behavioral categories?
Makes data collection more structured and objective
Doesn’t require further interpretation
Observation can be replicated
Whats the con of behavioral categories?
Researcher bias on choosing the categories ( subjectivity on what’s chosen)
