Observational Sampling Methods

• Time Sampling


  Recording within a pre-decided time frame

  For example , what is seen every 30 seconds
• Event Sampling


  Counting every time a particular behaviour ( event ) occurs

  For example , recording every time you see a ' punch to the face '
• Event Sampling

  Useful when behaviour happens infrequently and could be missed if time sampling was used
• Time Sampling

  Reduces number of observation to be made

  BUT

  You may miss behaviours and so may make the results unrepresentative of the behaviour