Which assessment method can be used to study the behaviour of class I students during play time in school?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Observation
Option (1) Interview — Incorrect. An interview means seeking information from a person on a one-to-one basis, by talking and asking questions. Questioning young children at play would interrupt the very behaviour that is to be studied.
Option (2) Case Study — Incorrect. A case study is an in-depth study of one individual: her/his psychological attributes and history in the context of the psychosocial and physical environment. It is not a way to watch a whole class at play.
Option (3) Observation — Correct. Observation employs systematic, organised and objective procedures to record behavioural phenomena occurring naturally in real time. The play of class I children happens naturally and can be recorded as it happens, just as mother-child interactions are easily studied through observation.
Option (4) Self Report — Incorrect. In a self-report the person provides information about herself/himself, through an interview schedule, a questionnaire, a test or a diary. Children of class I cannot report on their own behaviour in this way, and the question is about what they do, not what they say.
NCERT (2025-26): “Assessment Methods … Case Study is an in-depth study of the individual in terms of her/his psychological attributes, psychological history in the context of her/his psychosocial and physical environment. Case studies are widely used by clinical psychologists. Case analyses of the lives of great people can also be highly illuminating for those willing to learn from their life experiences. Case studies are based on data generated by different methods, e.g. interview, observation, questionnaire, psychological tests, etc. Observation involves employing systematic, organised, and objective procedures to record behavioural phenomena occurring naturally in real time. Certain phenomena such as mother-child interactions can be easily studied through observation. The major problems with observational methods are that the observer has little control over the situation and the reports may suffer from subjective interpretations of the observer. Self-Report is a method in which a person provides factual information about herself/himself and/or opinions, beliefs, etc. that s/he holds. Such information may be obtained by using an interview schedule or a questionnaire, a psychological test, or a personal diary.” |