Observational Design

page 184/185 of the book, includes AO3!

how is data recorded in an unstructured observation?

the researcher writes down everything they see

how is data recorded in a structured observation?

the researcher uses behavioural categories to record target behaviours

what are behavioural categories?

where a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable (operationalisation)

what is the sampling method used in unstructured observations?

continuous recording

what are the sampling methods used in structured observations?

• event sampling

• time sampling

what is event sampling?

a target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs

what is time sampling?

a target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame, e.g. every 60 seconds

what kind of data do structured observations produce?

quantitative data

what kind of data do unstructured observations produce?

qualitative data