Obsevational Design

Question 1

What are the types of time based sampling

Answer 1

Systematic- equal time points
Random - whenever the behaviour occurs

Question 2

Event based sampling

Answer 2

Based on events (e.g drivers response to flooding)

Question 3

Situation based sampling

Answer 3

Sampling a range of situations (e.g role of the mother)

Question 4

Participant based subject sampling

Answer 4

Sampling based on the participant (e.g factory workers)

Question 5

Naturalistic observation

Answer 5

Observing behaviours as they occur naturally

Question 6

Strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 6

High ecological validity
No predefined categories - captures everything
Useful to explore attitudes, values, beliefs etc
Useful for behaviour that can’t be manipulated eg for ethical reasons

Question 7

Weaknesses

Answer 7

Can be ethically dubious
Time
Must be careful not to influence the behaviour

Question 8

Structured observation

Answer 8

Observer sets up a situation that’s likely to produce the behaviours to be observed

Question 9

How to code

Answer 9

Researcher selects an appropriate systematic framework

Question 10

What is data saturation

Answer 10

Data saturation reached when the researcher has collected sufficient data
No new patterns, repetitive notes