Observations Flashcards
What are behavioural categories?
Clearly defined actions that can be observed or recorded in an observation as a target behaviour
What is a controlled observation?
Where the researcher controls certain variables in order to carry out observations
What is an unstructured observation?
Where an observation takes place without a predefined plan and characteristics in advance
What is a covert observation?
An observation where the participant isn’t aware that they’re being observed
What is an overt observation?
An observation where the participant is aware that they are being observed
What is event sampling?
Where an observer records the number of times a certain behaviour (event) occurs
What is a naturalistic observation?
Where the researcher observes naturally occurring behaviours
What is a non-participant observation?
Where the observer observes from the outside or from a distance of the group
What is a participant observation?
Where the observer is actively involved with the group that they are observing
What is time sampling?
Where an observer records behaviour at prescribed time intervals (e.g every minute)
What is observer bias?
Where a researcher’s expectations influence what they perceive or record in a study
What is inter-observer reliability?
The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way
What is inter-rater reliability?
The extent of agreement between two or more observers assessing the same behaviour
