Observational design

Question 1

What are unstructured observations and what do they record

Answer 1

• when the researcher observing writes down everything they see, this tends to produce accounts that are rich in detail
• more appropriate when observation is small scale

Question 2

What does a structured observation include

Answer 2

• simplifying the type of behaviours you are observing
• this is to make it easier for the researcher to quantify their findings using a pre-determined list of behaviours and sampling methods

Question 3

What is done for behavioural categories

Answer 3

• target behaviours should be precisely defined and made observable and measurable

Question 4

What is continuous recording

Answer 4

• when observer records everything they see is occurring

Question 5

What is event sampling

Answer 5

• counting the number of times a behaviour occurs is a target individual or group

Question 6

What is time sampling

Answer 6

• recording behaviour with a pre established time frame

Question 7

1-What is a strength of unstructured observations

2-What is a limitation of unstructured observations

Answer 7

• richness and depth of detail

- more difficult to record and analyse, greater risk of observer bias, researcher may only record what catches their eye

Question 8

1-What is a strength of structured observations

2-What is a limitation of structured observations

Answer 8

• recording data is easier and more systematic, analysing and comparing data is also more straightforward
• not as in-depth and rich in detail

Question 9

1-What is a strength of behavioural categories

2-What is a limitation of behavioural categories

Answer 9

• data collection is more structured and objective

- categories must however be clear and unambiguous, clear and self-evident as to not leave space for interpretation

Question 10

1-What is a strength of event sampling

2-What is a limitation of event sampling

Answer 10

• useful when target behaviour of an event happens infrequently
• if specified time is too complex the observer may overlook important details if using event sampling

Question 11

1-What is a strength of time sampling

2-What is a limitation of time sampling

Answer 11

• effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made
• may be unrepresentative of the observation alone