lecture 3

Question 1

structured observation =

Answer 1

a technique in which the researcher employs explicity formulated rules for the observation and recordinf of behavior. one of the main adventages is that it allows behavior to be observed directly, unlike in survey reseach

Question 2

what types of observation research are there?

Answer 2

1. structured observation
2. participant observation
3. non-participant observation
4. unstructed observation
5. simple observation
6. contrived observation

Question 3

observation schedule/coding sceme =

Answer 3

the categories of behavior that are to be observed and how behavior should be alocated to those categories

Question 4

strategies for observing behavior;

Answer 4

1. record in terms of incident; waiting for something to happen and then recording what follows from that
2. short periods of time
3. quite long periods of time
   4, time sampling; the sampling of time periods is random

Question 5

sampling in terms of time;

Answer 5

it is often necessary to ensure that if certain individuals are sampled on more then one occation, they are not always observed at the same time a day

Question 6

types of sampling in structured observations;

Answer 6

1. ad libitum sampling
2. focal sampling
3. scan sampling
4. behavior sampling

Question 7

ad libium sampling =

Answer 7

researcher record what is happening all the time

Question 8

focal sampling =

Answer 8

specific individual is observed for a set period of time

Question 9

scan sampling =

Answer 9

an entire group of individuals is scanned at regular intervals and the behavior of all of them is recorded at that time

Question 10

behavior sampling =

Answer 10

an entire group is watched and the observer records who was involved in a particular kind of behavior

Question 11

reliability issues;

Answer 11

1. there is a degree of inter-observer consistenty
2. the degree on consistency in the application of the observation scheduled over time –> intra-observer consistency

Question 12

inter-observer consistency =

Answer 12

the degree to which two or more observers of the same behavior agree in terms of their coding of that behavior agree in terms of their coding of that behavior on the observation schedule

Question 13

validity issues- the validity of any measurment will be affected by;

Answer 13

• whether the measure reflects the concept it has been designed to measure
• is the observation schedule administrated as it suppose to be?
• do people change behavior because they know that they are being watched?

Question 14

filed simulation =

Answer 14

virtual simulation of the real life world in order to study and analyze its behavior

Question 15

critisism of structured observations;

Answer 15

• there is a risk of impasing the potentially inappropriate or irrelevant framwork on the setting being observed
• it is rarely able to get intentions behind behavior
• there is a tendency for structured observations to generate lots of fragments of data
• it is often suggested that structured observations neglects the context within which behavior takes place

Question 16

open/public spaces;

Answer 16

sometimes ethnographers will be able to have their paths smoothed by individuals who act as both sponsor and gatekeeper

Question 17

what is one of the key, yes most difficult steps in ethnography?

Answer 17

gaining access

Question 18

what are 3 things you can do to smooth the path of ongoing access?

Answer 18

1. play up your credentials, use your past work and experiences
2. pass tests, be non-judgemental when things are said to you about informal activities or about the organization
3. you may need a role, the role will be part of your position in the organization

Question 19

what types of field notes are there?

Answer 19

1. metal notes
2. jotted notes
3. full field notes