Which of the following best describes structured/systematic observation?

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The question asks which option best describes structured/systematic observation, a method often used in behavioral research to observe and record specific behaviors in a reliable, repeatable way.
Option 1: 'The research procedure guarantees that participants are unaware that they are being recorded/observed' This describes naturalistic or covert observation considerations, but it is not the defining feature of structured/systematic observation. Systematic observation emphasizes process and measurement, not necessarily deception or concealment.
Option 2: 'Definitions for the observed/recoded behavior categories are created after the observational sessions to ensure reliability and consistency between different observers' Post hoc category definitions would undermine reliability and standardization. Structured observation relies on predefined, priori categories and a coding scheme established before data collection to ensure consistency across observers.
Option 3: 'The researcher becomes part of the group of individuals being observed to some extent' This describes participant observation or ethnography, where the researcher embeds themselves in the setting. While that approach exists, it is not the hallmark of structured/systematic observation, which stresses objective coding and predefined categories rather than immersion.
Option 4: 'A coding framework can be used to quantify the specific behavior of interest' This option captures the essence of structured/systematic observation: using a predefined coding scheme to quantify observable behaviors in a reliable and replicable way, enabling systematic comparison across participants, times, or settings.
In summary, the key feature of structured/systematic observation is the use of a coding framework to quantify precisely defined behaviors, ensuring objectivity and reliability across observations. The other options describe related methods or desirable safeguards but do not define the systematic, preplanned coding approach central to structured observation.

2025/26/1 PSYB19-104 1 - Basics of Research Methods Exam (16 December, 11:00)

Which of the following best describes structured/systematic observation?

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