research methods - observational design.

Question 1

What is meant by “structured observation”?

Answer 1

Observation study using predetermined coding scheme and sampling method to record the participants’ behaviour.

Question 2

What is meant by “unstructured observation”?

Answer 2

Form of observational study where behaviours of interest and/or the method of observation are not clearly specified in advance of the study therefore the observe simply makes notes on the behaviour being observed.

Question 3

What is meant by “behavioural categories”?

Answer 3

When a target behaviour is broken up into components which are observable and measurable.

Question 4

What is meant by “event sampling”?

Answer 4

Target behaviour is identified and then researcher records this event every time it occurs.

Question 5

What is meant by “time sampling”?

Answer 5

Target behaviour/group is identified and the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame such as every 2 minutes.

Question 6

What is meant by “observation”?

Answer 6

Scientific studies which focus on specific types of behaviours or events.

Question 7

Why are structured observations important?

Answer 7

Target behaviours are simplified becoming the focus of investigation.

Question 8

What are the strengths of structured observation?

Answer 8

• easier and more systematic to record data due to use of behavioural categories.
• comparable analysis of behaviours as data is numerical.

Question 9

What is a weakness of structured observation?

Answer 9

• may not include all behaviours in behavioural categories.

Question 10

What are the main systems used to organise recording of observations?

Answer 10

• behavioural categories.
• sampling methods.

Question 11

What does behavioural categories consist of?

Answer 11

• operationalisation.
• being objective
  ↳ cover all possible components.
• being mutually exclusive (no overlapping).

Question 12

What is a weakness of behavioural categories?

Answer 12

• categories may overlap making it difficult for observer to assign a category.

Question 13

What is a strength of behavioural categories?

Answer 13

• data collection is more structured and objective
  ↳ categories are clear, measurable and observable.

Question 14

What are the types of sampling methods?

Answer 14

• event sampling.
• time sampling.

Question 15

What are the strengths of event sampling?

Answer 15

• useful in analysing a particular target behaviour.

Question 16

What is a weakness of event sampling?

Answer 16

• may difficult to record everything if too many observations happen at once.
• details may be missed if event is too complex such as a lot of detail at once.

Question 17

What is a strength of time sampling?

Answer 17

• useful in reducing the number of observations that need to be made.

Question 18

What is a weakness of time sampling?

Answer 18

• might be unrepresentative of observation as a whole.

Question 19

What is meant by “inter-observer reliability”?

Answer 19

To ensure the observation remains objective and unbiased, observations should be carried out by at least 2 researchers.

Question 20

How is inter-observer reliability carried out?

Answer 20

• pairs must be consistent in their judgement and any data recorded is the same or similar.
  
  1. observers should familiarise themselves with the behavioural categories.
     
     2. observe the same behaviours at the same time as part of a small-scale pilot study.
        
        3. observers compare the data recorded and discuss any differences in interpretations.
           
           4. observers conduct observation and correlate each pair of observations made and a correlation coefficient is produced.

Question 21

What is a strength of unstructured observation?

Answer 21

• richness and depth of detail in data collected.

Question 22

What are the weaknesses of unstructured observation?

Answer 22

• risk of observe bias
  ↳ no objective behavioural categories.
• may only records behaviours which are eye catching which may not be important or useful.
• qualitative data
  ↳ difficult to analyse and record.