Observational design: Event and Time Sampling

Question 1

What is event sampling?

Answer 1

The observers decide on a specific event relevant to the investigation and record it every time it is observed.

Question 2

What is time sampling?

Answer 2

Observing and recording only behaviour that occurs at given points in time such as every 5 minutes.

Question 3

What is a strength of ES?

Answer 3

The observer aims to record all behaviour so the results are likely to be valid.

Question 4

What is a limitation of ES?

Answer 4

If too many observations happen at happen at once, it may be difficult for the researcher to record all behaviour so results may not be representative of ppts’ behaviour and therefore would not be valid.

Question 5

What is a strength of TS?

Answer 5

The observer has time to record what they have seen so the results are likely to be valid.

Question 6

What is a limitation of TS?

Answer 6

Some behaviours will happen outside of the intervals so the results may not be representative of ppt’s behaviour and therefore would not be valid.