Systematic Observation: What is it and how is it conducted?

Is best used when: We are interested in what people actually do (Observable behavior) rather than ideas, interests, and perceptions….

Typical types of observation methods: Duration recording Frequency count recording Interval recording Continuous recording

Duration: Observer watches for one or more specific behaviors and records the amount of time that each behavior occurs.

Example Observing the amount of time that teachers talk during instruction. Use a stopwatch to record amount of seconds, each time the teacher talks. Plus total discussion time is recorded. Divide total teacher talk by total discussion time to get percentage of teacher talk time.

Frequency Count Recording Specific behaviors to be observed are listed on the observation schedule and an observer enters a tally mark each time one of the target behaviors occurs.

Example Recording the number of times that a teacher gives praise. When more than one target behavior can occur at the same time, frequency is better than duration.

Interval Recording: The observer checks the target subject at regular intervals and records his behavior during that interval.

Example: At each beep of a recorder the observer records the behavior of the student(s) being observed.

Continuous Observation: The observer attempts to record all relevant behavior of the subject during the period of observation.

Example: Want to identify what makes certain algebra teachers affective in higher student achievement scores. Observe and record all behaviors that appear to be relevant to the teaching of algebra. Often must make decisions—often more subjective results.

Concerns: Low interference behaviors: where little difficulty is found describing behavior, ie praise, smiles… High interference behaviors: When the observer must use much of his own judgment, ie warmth, dedication to teaching…..

Procedures Develop operational definitions. Pilot the testing system Train the observers Establish inter-rater reliability.