Observatonal Design

Question 1

What are unstructured observations

Answer 1

When the researcher writes down all behaviour they see, produces accounts of behaviour that are rich in detail

Question 2

When are unstructured observations appropriate

Answer 2

When observations are small in scale and involve few participants-so researcher has ability to record all behaviour

Question 3

Advantages of unstructured observations

Answer 3

Benefit from richness and depth of detail in data collected

Question 4

Disadvantages of unstructured observations

Answer 4

-tend to produce qualitative data which is more difficult to record and analyse
-greater risk of observer bias as no objective behavioural categories, may only record behaviour that catches their eye

Question 5

What are structured observations

Answer 5

Allow the researcher to quantify their observations using a pre-determines list of behaviours and sampling methods

Question 6

Advantages of structured observations

Answer 6

-data produced likely to be quantitative which is more straightforward to analyse and compare
-less risk of observer bias due to objective behavioural categories

Question 7

Disadvantages of structured observations

Answer 7

-data less rich in detail

Question 8

What are behavioural categories

Answer 8

When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable.

Question 9

What must behavioural categories be

Answer 9

Must be as clear as possible-should not require further interpretation.
Should include all forms of the target behaviour
Must be mutually exclusive-not overlap

Question 10

What is continuous recording

Answer 10

Feature of unstructured observations in which all instances of a target behaviour are recorded, may not be possible for very complex behaviours

Question 11

What is event sampling

Answer 11

When a target behaviour is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs

Question 12

Advantages of event sampling

Answer 12

Useful when target behaviour happens infrequently and could be missed if time sampling used

Question 13

Disadvantages of event sampling

Answer 13

If specified event is too complex the observer may overlook important details

Question 14

What is time sampling

Answer 14

Target individual/group first established then researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame(eg every 60 seconds)

Question 15

Advantages of time sampling

Answer 15

Effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made

Question 16

Disadvantages of time sampling

Answer 16

Instances when behaviour is sampled may be unrepresentative of observation as a whole

Question 17

What is Inter observer reliability

Answer 17

The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way, reduces observer bias

Question 18

What steps are taken to ensure inter observer reliability

Answer 18

-observers familiarise themselves with behavioural categories to be used
-observe same behaviour at same time to give examples of the behaviour they are studying
-after study should compare data and discuss any discrepancies, correlate their pairs of data