Measurement Flashcards
(16 cards)
Why is measurement important in research?
Measurement allows researchers to describe, compare, and predict behaviour.
Measurement is crucial for understanding and analyzing behavioral patterns.
What is direct measurement?
Direct measurement involves observing the actual behaviour of interest.
It provides more valid data compared to indirect methods.
What is indirect measurement?
Indirect measurement relies on proxies and is less valid.
Indirect methods do not directly observe the behaviour of interest.
What is a permanent product in direct measurement?
Evidence left behind, such as completed worksheets.
This type of measurement assesses the outcome of behaviour after it occurs.
What is automated recording?
Using devices to measure behaviour without direct observation.
Examples include sensors or counters that track behaviour automatically.
What does continuous recording involve?
Capturing all occurrences of a behaviour in real time.
This method allows for detailed analysis of behaviour.
Define frequency in the context of behaviour measurement.
How often a behaviour occurs.
Frequency is a key metric in understanding behaviour patterns.
What is the rate of behaviour?
Frequency per time unit.
Rate provides context for how frequent behaviour occurs over a specified duration.
What does duration measure in behaviour analysis?
How long a behaviour lasts.
Duration helps in understanding the intensity or persistence of a behaviour.
What is discontinuous recording?
Sampling behaviour in intervals, such as partial, whole, or momentary.
This method does not capture every instance of behaviour.
What is partial interval recording?
Record if behaviour occurs at any point in the interval.
This method can lead to overestimation of behaviour frequency.
Explain whole interval recording.
Record only if behaviour occurs for the full interval.
This method may underrepresent behaviour frequency.
What is momentary time sampling (MTS)?
Record if behaviour is occurring at a precise moment.
MTS provides snapshots of behaviour rather than continuous data.
Compare continuous and discontinuous recording methods.
Continuous: High accuracy, detects small changes. Discontinuous: Easier to manage, good for high frequency.
Each method has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the research goals.
What is a disadvantage of continuous recording?
Time-consuming, requires constant observation.
This can be impractical in many research settings.
What is a disadvantage of discontinuous recording?
Estimates may miss details.
This method may not provide a complete picture of behaviour.
