structured observations to study education

Question 1

practical:

Answer 1

• highly structured methods using pre- categorised observational schedules to produce quantitative data

Question 2

practical: Flanders System of Interaction Analysis Categories

Answer 2

• it measures pupil to pupil and pupil to teacher interaction quantitatively

Question 3

practical: may be difficult to conduct structured observation outside of classroom

Answer 3

• E.G: playground isn’t controlled and it wouldn’t produce quantitative data

Question 4

reliability:

Answer 4

• behaviours of teachers and pupils are relatively limited due to 10 categories of classroom interaction do their observational techniques (FIAC) are easily replicated

Question 5

validity: INTERPRETIVISTS criticise structured observations in classrooms

Answer 5

• it lacks validity since it’s classifying data into limited number of pre- defined categories

Question 6

observer presence:

Answer 6

• Hawthorne effect so it wouldn’t produce valid data since students and teachers would change how they behave