observation design

• -          the variables being observed need to be operationalised prior to carrying out the study
• -          behavioural categories – refers to the way researchers operationalise the behaviour being measured -so that all observers no exactly what constitutes the behaviour being observed-for example if you were observing aggressive behaviour the researcher would need to decide what behaviour constitutes aggression like kicking or punching
• -          behavioural categories should be objective and cover all possible elements of behaviour and be mutually exclusive meaning that each behaviour can only fit one category
• -          event sampling procedures= it's not always possible or practical to record the entire behaviour that is shown during the observation therefore a systematic method of sampling observation is needed
• -          event sampling refers to the research of watching the entire event and recording a behaviour every time it happened for example ticking a box every time a child kicks or punches another child during school breaks time
• -          time sampling refers to the recording of behaviour at set time intervals during the observation for example you may record the behaviour that is shown at one minute intervals therefore every 60 seconds the observer would tick however many boxes are necessary on the behavioural checklist