Designing Naturalistic Observations
Steps to take
1) State the aim and hypotheses (null and alternative)
2) Decide on the type of observation (the aim may already have done this)
Decide if going to be participant or non-pt, covert/overt, structured/unstructured.
Also decide on location.
3) Now have to consider ethics
Privacy - Pts should not be observed in situations where they would not normally expect others
to observe their behaviour! Informed consent - if the study involves children, ensure you have
parental consent. Children under the age of 16 are thought to not be able to give informed
consent. This is because they cannot make a rational and mature judgement as they may not
truly understand what has been explained to them. Confidentiality of results needs to be
considered and explained to pts (where necessary). Debriefing may be needed if pt are aware
they are being observed.
4) Decide on the sampling technique you are going to use
Time sampling - make a note of all behaviour at set time intervals, e.g. every 15 seconds; every
hour;
Event sampling – where a list of behaviours is drawn up and observers keep count of every time
each occurs
5) Design the behavioural categories – Have a behavioural checklist of behaviours to be
observed
- ensure that they are clearly operationalised (i.e.
they are behaviours than can clearly be identified and recorded. E.g. “student walking strangely”
is unclear “student limping” is clear.
An example of a behaviour checklist for the Strange Situation
Behaviour
Exploration of room when with caregiver
Exploration of room when with stranger
Playing with toys when with caregiver
Playing with toys when with stranger
Looks to caregiver whilst exploring
Ignores caregiver whilst exploring
Cries when caregiver leaves
Intense distress when caregiver leaves
No crying when caregiver leaves
etc
Tally
6) Train observers – this is in order to standardise procedures and to avoid observer bias
- This will help increase validity & reliability
7) Carry out a pilot observation – see if there are any problems with your sampling technique
(e.g. time frame) or behavioural checklist
8) Improve methodology if necessary
9) Carry out observation
10)Check reliability – use inter-observer reliability method (see reliability notes)
- If the data between observers is not consistent then, observers may
need to be retrained, adjust behavioural checklist and then carry out the
observation again.