Two educational psychology researchers investigated the effect of classroom seating layout on off-task behaviours. They watched the behaviour of Year 8 pupils in two different classroom setups and recorded their observations using a set of behavioural categories. They observed 30 pupils in the first classroom layout and another 30 pupils in a second classroom layout.
Classroom Layout 1 consisted of clusters of tables arranged in collaborative groups of four to six pupils.
Classroom Layout 2 consisted of traditional forward-facing rows of individual desks.
What are behavioural categories? Explain why it was important to use behavioural categories in this observation.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Research methods with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 100 questions covering Experimental method, Observational techniques, Self-report techniques, Correlations, Content analysis (A-level only), Case studies (A-level only), Scientific processes, Data handling and analysis, and Inferential testing (A-level only), matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.