chapter 8 observation. contents types of observational research possibilities main elements of...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 8 Observation
CONTENTS
• Types of observational research• Possibilities• Main elements of observational research• Use of technology• Just looking
Types of observational research (Fig. 8.1)
• Structured or systematic • Unstructured/naturalistic/qualitative • Quasi-experimental • Participant observation (see Ch. 9)
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Possibilities (Fig. 8.2)
• Children's play• Sport activity patterns (coaching, training, match behaviour)• Informal sport areas
– counting heads– spatial/functional patterns of use
• Visitor profiles• Deviant behaviour• Mystery shopping• Complementary research• Everyday life• Social behaviour
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Case study 8.1: Deviant behaviour: Observing riots
Australian Motor-cycle Grand Prix , mid-1980sCunneen et al. (1989)
Steps in an observation project (Fig. 8.4)
1. Choice of site(s)2. Choice of observation point(s)3. Choice of observation time period(s)4. Continuous observation or sampling?5. Number and length of sampling periods6. Deciding what to observe7. Division of site into zones8. Determining information recording method9. Conducting the observation10. Analysing/interpreting data
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Step 5: Count frequency (Fig. 8.5)
0
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9.00am12.00 2.00pm
3.00pm0
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8.00am9.00am
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No. of persons present
Observation points
Observed pattern
Possible real pattern
Need for additional observation sessions to capture peak visits
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
B C DA
Jogging track
Tennis courts
Skateboard park
Observed sport/exercise use of a park (Fig. 8.6)
ActiveNon-active
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Observation recording sheet: counts (Fig 8.7)
Site Observer Date Start time Finish time
Zone
Activity Skateboard park
Track Tennis court A
Tennis court B
Tennis court C
Tennis court D
Participants
Referees etc.
Spectators
Comments
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Usage data recorded (Table 8.1)
Inactive Jogging Skateboarding Tennis Total
Time No. of people observed (spot counts)
8 am 0 6 0 0 6
9 am 5 4 5 0 14
10 am 6 2 7 2 17
11 am 15 4 12 6 37
12 noon 20 6 15 6 47
1 pm 22 12 17 10 61
2 pm 30 14 18 6 68
3 pm 25 10 15 6 56
4 pm 20 6 22 4 52
5 pm 22 12 19 12 65
6 pm 22 4 12 6 44
7 pm 10 0 12 4 26
Total 197 80 154 62 493
Average 16.4 6.7 12.8 5.2 41.1
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Analysing data: park/sport centre use (Fig. 8.8)
8am 9am 10am 11am 12am 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm0
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TennisSkateboardingJoggingInactive
Num
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sent
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Estimating day visit numbers from spot counts (Table. 8.2)
Data Source Inactive
A. Average No. of users present
Table 8.1 16.4
B. No. of hours open
Table 8.1 12
C. No. of user-hours A x B 197
D. Average length of stay
User survey
0.5
E. No. of users C/D 394
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Estimating day visit numbers from spot counts (Table. 8.2)
Data Source Inactive Jogging Skate- boarding
Tennis
A. Average No. of users present
Table 8.1 16.4 6.7 12.8 5.2
B. No. of hours open
Table 8.1 12 12 12 12
C. No. of user-hours A x B 197 80 154 62
D. Average length of stay
User survey
0.5 0.3 2.0 2.0
E. No. of users C/D 394 267 77 31
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Estimating day visit numbers from spot counts (Table. 8.2)
Data Source Inactive Jogging Skate- boarding
Tennis Total
A. Average No. of users present
Table 8.1 16.4 6.7 12.8 5.2 41.1
B. No. of hours open
Table 8.1 12 12 12 12 12
C. No. of user-hours A x B 197 80 154 62 493
D. Average length of stay
User survey
0.5 0.3 2.0 2.0 1.6
E. No. of users C/D 394 267 77 31 769
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Use of technology• Automatic counters
– Induction loop– Pressure pad/tube– Infra-red beam– CCTV
• Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS)• Aerial photography • Still photography • Video• Time-lapse photography
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge
Just looking
• Observation is important in all forms of empirical research.
• Observing people’s behaviour at a site, in a destination, can reveal information not obtainable by any other means.
• Time invested in simply observing the research site is often well rewarded.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge