Scientific processes (observational design)

Question 1

Time sampling

Answer 1

This is where an observer records behaviour at prescribed intervals eg. every 10 seconds

Question 2

Limitation of time sampling

Answer 2

Not every behaviour of relevance to the investigation will be counted if it occurs in between the time frames allocated

Question 3

Event sampling

Answer 3

This is where an observer records the number of times that the target behaviour occurs eg. using tally

Question 4

Limitation of event sampling

Answer 4

There is a possibility that some behaviours could be missed if there is too much happening at the same time

Question 5

Strength of time sampling

Answer 5

Time sampling methods allow for better use of time since fewer observations are made

Question 6

Strength of event sampling

Answer 6

Every behaviour of interest to the researcher will be counted from the beginning through to the end of the observation