My own observation

• Aim


  To investigate the behaviour of students during their study period
• Where will you be? Naturalistic/controlled?


  SJD sixth form college

  Naturalistic = observe students in their natural setting - study zones around college
• Sample


  SJD sixth form students: Yr12 = purple lanyard, Yr13 = red lanyard

  opportunity sampling = use students readily available
• Covert/overt?Participant/non-participant?


  Covert = students will be unaware we are observing them -> to stay undercover = pretend to be doing work

  Non-participant = observe students externally, watch them in a study zone from afar
• Behavioural categories used


  socialising, on phone, listening to music, eating/drinking, working
• Ethics 


  :

  
• Inter-rater reliability 


  agreed on behavioural categories beforehand + fully operationalised them

  observing together at the same time from the same location

  but no pilot study
• Event or time sampling 


  event - will observe continuously for the full 15 mins