Observational Designs

• difference between structured & unstructured observation

  structured there is a list of behaviour categories the researcher is looking for but unstructured the researcher writes down everything they observe
• +/- of structured observation

  + process is easier and more systematic- improves reliability

  + data is quantitative

  - data is less detailed (doesn't have specifics)
• +/- of unstructured observation

  + data collected is rich & detailed

  - qualitative data

  - risk of researcher bias
• in order to produce a structured record of what a researcher sees or hears - they set up '_____________'

  behavioural categories
• event sampling

  counting the number of times a behaviour occurs
• time sampling

  recording behaviour in a pre-established timeframe
• purpose of inter-observer reliability


  - so they don't miss important details

  - observer bias (only observe behaviour that confirms their hypothesis