observational design

Question 1

what is the difference between structured and unstructured observations?

Answer 1

unstructured involves writing down everything they see while structured involves using behavioural categories.

Question 2

evaluation of structured observation

Answer 2

data reccorded is more systematic, quantitative data, easier to analyse
may lack in depth detail in data

Question 3

what are behavioural categories?

Answer 3

when a target behaviour is broken up into compnents that are observable and measureable

Question 4

evaluation of behavioural categories

Answer 4

data collection is more structured and objective
must ensure every behaviour has a category, otherwise important behaviours may not be documented

Question 5

what is event sampling?

Answer 5

a target behaviour is first established, then recorded every time it occurs

Question 6

what is time sampling?

Answer 6

a target individual or group is first established, then their behaviour is recorded in a fixed time frame

Question 7

evaluation of event sampling

Answer 7

allows all target behaviour to be recorded, more representative of behaviour as a whole
more time consuming, high number of behaviours to be recorded