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Research Methods: Observation

Research Methods: Observation. Review of Concepts. Scientific observation Precisely defined conditions Systematic Objective Careful record keeping Determine method based on critical factors Purpose of study Extent of intervention: with (and degree) or without? Degree of control

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Research Methods: Observation

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  1. Research Methods: Observation

  2. Review of Concepts • Scientific observation • Precisely defined conditions • Systematic • Objective • Careful record keeping • Determine method based on critical factors • Purpose of study • Extent of intervention: with (and degree) or without? • Degree of control • Comprehensiveness of recorded behavior: how much? • Descriptive methods • Looking for relationships • No causality

  3. Sampling Techniques • Identify target population • Identify the behaviors (remember external validity) • Identify the setting(s) (remember external validity) • Choose a sampling technique • Time sampling (event sampling needed?) • Situation sampling

  4. Time Sampling • On each observation day, six 15-min periods during the day are randomly selected from the times when the daylight is sufficient to permit seeing the mice. • Recording everything a child does in selected 20-min intervals

  5. Event Sampling • Recording whether or not cars enter a busy intersection when the light has changed to red (during rush hour). • Studying drivers’ reactions to being “pulled over” by a patrol officer (during rush hour vs. over a holiday weekend).

  6. Situation Sampling • Observing the number of students (subject sampling) studying on rainy versus cloudy days at Sinclair, Wright State, and UDayton campus libraries. • Recording variables associated with angry outbursts of young children (subject sampling) at school, home, and church.

  7. Observational Methods • Observation without intervention • Naturalistic observation • Behavior as it normally occurs • Aids in establishment of external validity • Important when experimental control not possible • Observation with intervention • Participant observation • Disguised • Undisguised • Structured observation • Field Experiment

  8. Recording Behavior • Goals dictate comprehensive or selected behaviors observed • Initial record determines later • Measurement • Summarization • Analysis • Report • Qualitative records • Narrative • Field notes

  9. Recording Behavior, cont. • Quantitative measures • LoM scales and characteristics • Nominal • Ordinal • Interval • Ratio

  10. Measurement • A set of rules or procedures for assigning numbers to people or objects or events to reflect information about an attribute or characteristic of interest. • Qualities of a measurement scale • Precision • Reliability • Validity

  11. Properties of a Number Systemfor Measuring Behavior • A number system: (…, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …)

  12. Analysis of Observational Data • Data reduction—summarizing • Coding • Example: Videotapes in social behavior of young children (Bakeman & Gottman, 1986) Unoccupied Solitary play Together Parallel play Group play

  13. Analysis of Observational Data • Data reduction—summarizing • Coding • Verbal summaries • Descriptive measures • Observer reliability and inter-observer reliability • Influence of the observer • Reactivity • Demand characteristics • Non-reactive measures • Unobtrusive • Adaptation (habituation, desensitization) • Indirect observations • Observer bias • Systematic errors • Expectancy effects • Blind studies

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