Research Methods and Observation Techniques

Feb 2, 2025

CHEN 496 - Week 3 Lecture Notes

Topics Covered:

  • Time and Event Sampling Methods
  • Forming Research Questions
  • Overview of Observation Report Guidelines

1. Time and Event Sampling Methods

Event Sampling:

  • Definition: Documents the number of times a behavior occurs.
  • Best Use: For behaviors with a clear start and end; suitable for infrequent behaviors.
  • Drawbacks: Difficult to obtain high inter-rater reliability due to missing tally marks.
  • Example: Counting how many times a child claps hands during a class.

Time Sampling:

  • Definition: Records occurrences of behavior within predetermined time units.
  • Time Units: Can be 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc., depending on behavior observed.
  • Best Use: Suitable for multiple behaviors and determining on/off task behavior.
  • Drawbacks: Not good for very low-frequency behaviors.
  • Example: Checking if a child talks within each time sample.

2. Forming Your Research Question

Importance:

  • Central to any research study, guiding literature review, methods, and analysis.
  • Must be clear, simple, relevant, manageable, measurable, and legitimate.

Components of a Good Research Question:

  • Clear and Simple: Avoids complexity, explicitly defines variables and relationships.
  • Relevant and Manageable: Addresses a researchable issue and is neither too broad nor too narrow.
  • Measurable/Observable: Ensures variables can be observed or measured.
  • Legitimate and Answerable: Poses a question that can be researched and answered.

Developing a Research Question:

  • Start with a broad subject of interest.
  • Narrow it down to a specific, measurable question.
  • Consider constructs, application, importance, and implications.

3. Observation Report Guidelines

Project Goal:

  • Design an observation project comparing development in two groups of children.
  • Compare using variables such as gender, age, or context settings.
  • Collect data, analyze using SPSS, and create an APA-style report.

Key Points:

  • Research Question: Form based on one grouping variable and one behavioral variable.
  • Observation: Collect 120 minutes of observation, ensuring inter-rater reliability.
  • Coding Scheme: Develop clear operational definitions and code behaviors accurately.

Report Structure:

  • APA Format: 7th edition guidelines for formatting, clear writing, and organization.
  • Sections: Title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references.
  • Data Analysis: Use appropriate statistical methods based on research question.
  • Deadlines: Start early, get approvals, and iterate on drafts.
  • Submission: Use Canvas, adhere to deadlines to avoid penalties.

Additional Tips:

  • Resources: Utilize campus writing supports and tools.
  • Collaboration: Work with lab partners effectively for efficient data collection and reliability.

Remember to review the observation report guidelines on Canvas and prepare questions for the lab class. Start on your literature review and research question formulation early.

Full transcript