Structured and unstructured

• Unstructured observation- Researcher writes down everything they see producing qualitative data the observations small scale as their are a few participants and rich detail of behaviour is produced
• Advantage of unstructured observations

  Rich and Detailed Data: Unstructured observations allow researchers to capture a wide range of behaviors, interactions, and contexts without being restricted by predefined categories or checklists.

  
  

  Disadvantage

  • There’s a great risk of observer bias as there’s no objective behavioural categories

  • Produces qualitative data which is more difficult to analyse and record
• Structured observation - Breaking the target behaviour in categories so each behaviour is observable this produces quantitative data and is suitable for observations large groups. Behavioural categories of specific behaviours are listed to gather the most valid and reliable results such as crying or screaming hugging
• Advantage of structured observation

   Use of behavioural categories make the recording of data easier and more systematic  The data produced in numerical which means that analysis and comparing the behaviour observed between participants is straightforward  Good for larger studies with lots of participants

  Disadvantage -

  • Only used to study large scale groups • Duration and event don’t tell us meaning • Event may not fit with category