Monday, 25 April 2016

Observation

Controlled Observation - The research decides where the observation would take place, at which time, with what participants, in what circumstances and uses a standardised procedure.

Rather than writing a detailed description of all behaviour observed, it is often easier to code behvaiour according to a previously agreed scale using a behaviour schedule.

The researcher systematically classifies the behaviour they observe into distinct categories. Coding might involve numbers or letters to describe a characteristic, or use of a scale to measure behaviour intensity.

Naturalistic Observation - Naturalistic observation involves studying the spontaneous behaviour of the participants in natural surroundings.

Participant Observation - Participant observation is a variant of the above but here the researcher joins in and becomes part of the group. For example a mystery shopper, an undercover Police Officer. The researcher takes a false identity an the real identity is concealed from the group.

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