Imagine that you are a social science researcher and you are expected to write on the following topic and complete the following tasks:
Topic: Teacher's behaviour in teaching adults
Task 1:
State your research objectives clearly and construct an observation guide to address your objectives. Your observation guide should consist of the aim(s) of your observation, the nature of the observation and the method of recording. It should list down (a) what to look at, (b) how to observe, (c) where and when to look, and (d) what to record (e.g. field notes or using a structured observation schedule). It should consist of a list of behaviour categories as well as behaviours that count as examples for each category and things to look out for. You should explain your choice of observation (i.e. participative, non-participative, contrived/structured or unstructured observation, direct or indirect observation and open or hidden observation) and the sample used during the behavioural observation.
Task 2:
Conduct the observation based on your observation guide but as an observer. Write a descriptive analysis based on your observation data and discuss the extent to which the data can address your research objectives. Your write-up for this task should be no more than 800 words .
IMPORTANT: Please note that your observation must not be done during your own class time (whether it is PSY390 or other courses you are taking), but you can sit in for other courses.Hence, if you have constructed your observational guide in Task 1 using the participative observational method, you would need to refine your observational guide for Task 2 so that you can conduct the actual study as an observer.
Task 3:
Write a reflection of your role as an observer in your study and briefly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of observational research design, as reflected in your fieldwork experience. You should also explain how you have attempted to establish reliability of your data.
Your submission should have a word count of not more than 1,500 words.