Observational Design units Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the objective of Observational Design?
Behaviors that occurs spontaneously in it’s natural contexts of occurance and in interaction istuations, without introducing any type of modification in the environment
How is data collection or how would you describe it’s scientific method?
No intervation by the researchers AND unrestricted responses from subjects -> natural behaviour
What are the degrees of structuring, define and describe them?
Naturalistic: completely natural situation, in its usual environmnet, and without any modification by the researcher (NO interaction, intervention, and non-awareness).
Semi-structed: Mainly in comparative studies where it is convenient to ensure some elements of consistency between situations (some interaction).
Structured: More rigid, where the researcher can “intervene” systematically or introduce sustantial modifications in the situation.
What are the degrees of Participation, define and describe them?
External or non-participany observation: Obs. separate from the situation with little to no interaction w/ participants; it faciliatates objectivity of the observer in their recording decisions and avoid the risks of interference in the phenomenon under study; MOST COMMON and quantative.
Participant observation: Obs. integrates into the dynamics of the phenomenon under study, participating in the activities of the group, or individual ro establish direct contact with their reality; qualatative methodology.
Self-observation: In research refers to a method where individuals observe and record their own behaviour, thoughts, feelings, or experiences, often used in psychological research.
How would i be able to give a solid foundation to my observational design method?
To give a solid foundation to your observational design method:
- Use supporting tools – Combine direct observation with audio recordings or external feedback to increase accuracy and provide context.
- Apply a theoretical framework – Base your observations on an established theory and involve experts to assess which behaviors should or should not be recorded.
- Establish a baseline – Use baseline measurements to understand the subject’s normal behavior before the actual observation begins.
- Include a pilot phase – Allow participants a familiarization period so they get used to the observation process, which helps reduce reactivity and increases validity.
What are the stages of an observational study?
Objectives, hypothesis, variables, measurement instrument, and sample; Data Collection; Data Analysis; Interpretation of results.
What are the first most commonly used observation instruments used in this design?
Field work: Used especially where there is no theoretical framework for the selection of behaviours and one wants to approach the observation task with an open and flexible system, which also allows attending simultaneously to various aspects of an event. A initial proposal of releceant criteria to consider and a list of levels. IF there is a theoretical framework then a category system is constructed, where there is a explicit and complete list of behaviours that must be recorded.
How does the category system work?
The category system is an organized framework used to describe and classify behaviors or events, operationalizing constructs by defining relevant categories. It must be adapted to the specific study through piloting and refinement.
What are the key steps in developing a category system for observational research?
To develop a category system, researchers must:
a) Determine dimensions of behavior — e.g., verbal and non-verbal actions.
b) Define the unit of behavior — segmenting continuous behavior into recordable units.
These decisions are interconnected and essential for systematic observation and recording.
How is a category system applied in a classroom observational study?
Example Research Question: How do students interact during group discussions?
Category system includes:
Verbal: Asking/Answering questions, Feedback, Agreement, etc.
Non-verbal: Eye contact, Gestures, Body language.
Observers sit discreetly and record behaviors using the system. Data is later analyzed to identify interaction patterns and engagement, helping improve teaching strategies.
What additional considerations are important when using a category system in observational research?
A category system from one study is not always transferable to another; it needs testing and adaptation.
Pilot observations help refine categories for new contexts.
Observers must be trained to focus only on predefined relevant behaviors.
The setting (e.g., high school classroom) and participants (e.g., students, teacher) must be clearly defined.
Observations should be systematic and conducted across multiple sessions to ensure reliable data.
What is sampling in observational methodology?
Sampling refers to the specific procedure that determines when we observe and who we observe.
What does recording involve in observation studies?
Recording defines how we gather information and which information is relevant, such as frequency, length, or order.
What is an observation session?
A session is a period in which the observer systematically records behaviors under study within a defined observation period.
How are viable observation subperiods determined?
Viable observation subperiods are determined by identifying time intervals during which the target behavior is most likely to occur and can be reliably recorded. Researchers consider factors such as:
- Contextual conditions (e.g. environment, schedule, activity type)
- Research objectives (what behaviors are being studied and when they naturally occur)
- Participant availability and routine
- Feasibility of recording without interference
By aligning observation times with meaningful or high-probability behavior windows, researchers maximize data quality and relevance while minimizing bias.
Based on the capabilities of the participants and observers, researchers define specific viable subperiods for observation sessions.
Why is the sample chosen in observational studies?
Samples are chosen based on theoretical and operational criteria that match the study’s objectives and are key to accessing relevant information.
What is expert judgment sampling?
A strategy where participants are selected for having specific characteristics relevant to the study’s goals.
What is between-session sampling?
the researcher collects data across multiple observation sessions, instead of focusing on one. It defines when to start and end observation sessions, using fixed criteria (e.g., time, behavior, events).
Give an example of fixed-selection sampling.
Observing students every day from 12:00 to 1:00 PM during lunch break for a week to compare behaviors across days.
What are limitations of between-session sampling?
Risks include missing key events, sampling bias, participant fatigue, and reduced understanding of short-term dynamics.
What is random selection sampling?
It involves randomly selecting times or events for observation to ensure unbiased and representative data collection.
What are limitations of random selection sampling?
Less control over timing, risk of missing key behaviors, high resource demands, and challenges in replicating findings.
What is within-session sampling?
It focuses on specific behaviors or events within one session, allowing detailed data collection without multiple sessions.
What is focal sampling?
Observing one specific individual or focal point in depth for a period, then rotating focus in later sessions.
