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1.When observation studies are most useful. 2.The distinctions between monitoring nonbehavioral and behavioral activities. 3.The strengths of the observation approach in research design. 4.The weaknesses of the observation approach in research design. 5.The three perspectives from which the observer-participant relationship may be viewed in observation studies. 6.The various designs of observation studies.

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Observation and the Research Process

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Selecting the Data Collection Method

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Selecting an Observation Approach

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NONBEHAVIORALBEHAVIORAL Record analysis Physical condition analysis Process or Activity analysis Nonverbal observation Linguistic observation Extralinguistic observation Spatial observation

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Record analysis is the extraction of data from current or historical records. Data mining is a type of record analysis. Physical condition analysis is the recording of observations of current conditions resulting from prior decisions. relate to a safety audit or an analysis of inventory conditions or an analysis of food preparation areas in a restaurant.

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Process or Activity analysis observation by a time study of stages in a process, evaluated on both effectiveness and efficiency. relates to any organization that tracks time related to activity or process steps and stages.

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Nonverbal the most prevalent and refers to recording physical actions or movements of participants. Linguistic the observation of human verbal behavior during conversation, presentation, or interaction.

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Extralinguistic

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Spatial the recording of how humans physically relate to one another.

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Strengths Securing information that is otherwise unavailable Avoiding participant filtering/ forgetting Securing environmental context Optimizing naturalness Reducing obtrusiveness Weaknesses Enduring long periods Incurring higher expenses Having lower reliability of inferences Keeping large records

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Whether the observation is direct or indirect. Direct observation occurs when the observer is physically present and personally monitors what takes place. Indirect observation occurs when the recording is done by mechanical, photographic, or electronic means. The Observer-Participant Relationship may be viewed from three perspectives: 1)Whether the observation is direct or indirect 2)Whether the observers presence is known or unknown to the participant 3)What role the observer plays in the events or effects of events recorded.

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Whether the observers presence is known or unknown to the participant. Concealment shields the observer from the participant to avoid error caused by the observers presence. A modified approach involves partial concealment. Whether the observer should participate in the situation while observing. Participant observation, exists when the observer enters the social setting and acts as both an observer and a participant.

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Simple observation Its practice is not standardized, as one would expect, because of the discovery nature of exploratory research. System observation It employs standardized procedures, trained observers, schedules for recording, and other devices for the observer.

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Research ClassEnvironmentPurposeResearch Tool Completely unstructured Natural settingGenerate hypotheses UnstructuredLaboratory StructuredNatural settingObservation checklist Completely structuredLaboratoryTest hypothesesObservation checklist

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Observation checklist It is a measuring instrument for testing hypotheses of class 4 studies.

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Specific conditions, events, or activities that we want to observe determine the observational reporting system. Observation may be at either a factual or an inferential level.

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FactualInferential Introduction/identification of salesperson and customer. Credibility of salesperson. Qualified status of customer. Time and day of weekConvenience for the customer. Welcoming attitude of the customer. Product presented.Customer interest in product. Selling points presented per product.Customer acceptance of selling points per product. Number of customer objections raised per product. Customer concerns about features and benefits. Salespersons rebuttal of objection.Effectiveness of salespersons rebuttal attempts. Salespersons attempt to restore controls. Effectiveness of salespersons control attempt. Consequences for customer who prefers interaction.

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General guidelines for the qualification and observers. Concentration Detail-oriented Unobtrusive Experience

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The data collection plan specifies the details of the task. It answer the questions who, what, when, how, and where

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The characteristics of the observation must be set as sampling elements and units of analysis. Event sampling The researcher records selected behavior that answers the investigative questions. Time sampling The researcher must choose among a time-point sample, continuous real-time measurement, or a time-interval sample.

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Time-point sample Recording occurs at fixed points for a specified length. Continuous measurement Behavior or the elapsed time of the behavior is recorded.

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Any of the following could be defined as an act for an observation study: A single expressed thought A physical movement A facial expression A motor skill

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Innovative observational procedures that can be both nonreactive and inconspicuously applied. Of particular interest are measures involving indirect observation based on physical traces( ) that include erosion ( )and accretion( ). Physical trace methods present a strong argument for use based on their ability to provide low-cost access to frequency, attendance, and incidence data without contamination from other method or reactivity from participants.

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