Observational design

Question 1

What is an unstructured observation?

Answer 1

• researcher writes down everything they see
• produces account of behaviour in detail
• appropriate with small scale observations

Question 2

What is a structured observation?

Answer 2

• researcher quantify their observations using a pre-determined list of behaviours & sampling methods
• used when there is too much going on in a single observation so target behaviours become the main focus

Question 2

What is event sampling?

Answer 2

Counting no. of times a particular behaviour occurs in the target individual or group

Question 2

What is time sampling?

Answer 2

Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame

Question 2

What is behavioural categories?

Answer 2

• target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable & measurable
• target behaviours intended to be studied are precisely defined, made observable & measurable
• researcher should have a checklist before observation begins including all the ways target behaviour may occur

Question 3

Evaluation: Structured vs unstructured

Answer 3

• structured usually involve behavioural categories to make recording of data (most likely numerical) easier
• quantitative data allows comparing & analysing observed behaviour straightforward
• unstructured usually produces qualitative data which is more difficult to record & analyse
• however unstructured is more detailed
• unstructured may also lead to observer bias where researcher may only record behaviour that interest or is in favour to them which may not be the most important

Question 4

Evaluation: Behavioural categories

Answer 4

• it makes data collection more structured & objective but it’s important that categories are as clear & unambiguous as possible
• researcher must ensure that all forms of target behaviour is included within the checklist - no behaviour should be gotten rid of
• categories should not overlap or be similar

Question 5

Evaluation: Sampling methods

Answer 5

• event sampling is useful when target behaviour doesn’t happen frequently & could be missed if time sampling is used
• but if the event is too complex - observer may overlook important details
• time sampling is effective in reducing no. of observations that are made
• but when behaviour sampled may be unrepresentative in some instances