Observational design

• What type of observation includes writing down everything?

  Unstructured observation
• Why is it useful to use a structured observation?

  Often too many things going on so it is necessary to simplify target behaviours that will become the main focus of the investigation, using behavioural categories.
• Behavioural categories

  When a target behaviour is broken down into components that are observable and measurable (operationalisation).
• Examples of behavioural categories for being affectionate

  Hugging, kissing.

  Each of these behaviours should be observable.
• Event sampling

  A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs.
• 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
• Strength of structured observation

  • Involve the use of behavioural categories making the recording of data easier and more systematic. Data produced is numerical, which means analysing and comparing the data is easier.
• Evaluation of unstructured observation

  • Produce qualitative data which is more difficult to record and analyse.
  • More in depth detail is collected
  • However greater risk of observer bias as objective behavioural categories are not present here so researcher may choose which behaviours they record.
• Evaluation of behavioural categories

  • Makes data collect more clear, structured and objective.
  • Not all forms of target behaviours may be included in checklists.
• Why should behaviours not overlap?

  • Difficult for observers to identify which behaviour is which so may lead to inaccurate results.
  • E.g smiling and grinning
• Evaluation of event sampling

  • Useful when target behaviour or event happens infrequently so could be missed if time sampling is used.
  • If target event is too complex, the observer may overlook important details.
• Evaluation of time sampling

  • Useful in reducing number of observations which have to be made.
  • Instances where behaviour is recorded may be unrepresentative as a whole.