Observational Methods

1
Observational Methods

• Direct Observation
• Naturalistic Observation
• Observation with Intervention
• Participant Observation
• Structured Observation
• Field Studies
• Unobtrusive Measures
• Indirect Observation
• Surveys
• Personal Interviews
• Phone Interviews

2
Naturalistic Observation

• Vampires
• Ethological Analysis
• Tinbergen on bees
• Barash on visual scanning
• Natural History
• Goodall on chimpanzees
• Fossey on gorillas
• Human Observation
• Hartup - childrens aggression
• Candid Camera
• WebCams

3
Sampling

• Time Based Sampling
• One/zero sampling
• Interval sampling
• Event Sampling
• Duration
• Frequency
• Intensity

4
Recording

• Narrative Records
• Checklist
• Electronic Recording

5
Coding Schemes

• Physical-Based Coding
• facial expression of emotion
• Psychological/Social-Based Coding
• childrens conversations

6
Features of Coding

• Mutually Exclusive Categories
• Exhaustive Categories
• Sequential Categories
• Interobserver Agreement
• agree/(agree disagree)

7
Problems/Issues

• Reactivity to Observer
• Failure to Appreciate Non-observed Factors
• Observer Bias