Observation Techniques Flashcards
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Read the first 6 Observation Techniques flashcards as text
Which observation method involves writing a detailed narrative of everything a child does and says over a specific time period?
Answer: Running record
A running record is a continuous, detailed written description of a child's behavior as it unfolds over a set period.
Event sampling is most useful when a teacher wants to:
Answer: Record a specific behavior each time it occurs to identify patterns and triggers
Event sampling focuses on recording a specific behavior every time it happens, helping identify patterns, frequency, and antecedents.
A teacher uses a checklist to document which skills a child has demonstrated. The primary limitation of this method is that it:
Answer: Only indicates presence or absence of a skill, not the quality or context
Checklists record only whether a skill was observed, missing information about how well it was performed or under what conditions.
Anecdotal records differ from running records in that anecdotal records:
Answer: Are written after the fact to capture a brief, memorable behavior or event
Anecdotal records are brief, written-after-the-fact descriptions of noteworthy incidents, while running records are continuous observations recorded as they happen.
Time sampling is best used to document:
Answer: How frequently a behavior occurs by recording it at set intervals
Time sampling records whether a target behavior is occurring at predetermined time intervals, providing an estimate of frequency.
To maintain objectivity in written observations, educators should:
Answer: Describe only what is seen and heard without making judgments
Objective observations describe observable behaviors without interpretation, labeling, or judgment, ensuring accurate and unbiased documentation.