Observation Method

• Research

  • Is defined as careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or problem using scientific methods.
• Research

  • It is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon.
• Research

  • Involves inductive and deductive methods.
• Characteristics of Research

  1. systematic approach. practice ethics and a code of conduct
  2. logical reasoning and involves inductive and deductive methods
  3. real-time data and knowledge
  4. in-depth analysis
• Characteristics of Research:

  5. generating new questions

  6. analytical

  7. accurate and correct
• Purpose of Research

  1. Exploratory
  2. Descriptive
  3. Explanatory
• Observation Method

  • is a method of data collection in which researchers observe within a specific research field.
• Advantages

  • direct access to research phenomena
  • observing firsthand
  • greater flexibility
  • not require technical knowledge
  • not require the willingness of the participant
• Disadvantages

  • longer time frame
  • higher observer bias
  • personal behaviors are not open for observation
  • influencing the behavior of a sample group elements
  • uncertainties of the event
• Disadvantages

  • many of the incidents are abstract
  • observations are not realiable
  • two persons observing the same phenomena can come at different results
  • expensive, requires effort and time
• Two types of Observation Method

  1. Non-Reactive (Unobtrusive)
  2. Reactive (Obstrusive)
• Non-Reactive (Unobtrusive Method)

  1. Physical Traces
  2. Archival Research
  3. Content Analysis
• Physical Traces

  • These are physical remains of human activity. It could also be remnants, fragments and products of past behavior.
• Physical Traces

  • People who are “observed” are not present when the data are collected.
• Archival Research

  • A collection of private or public documents or artifacts that a researcher can use as data
• Content Analysis

  • Process of making inferences based on objective coding of archival data
• Reactive (Obtrusive Method)

  1. Naturalistic Observation
  2. Systematic Observation
  3. Participant Observation
• Naturalistic Observation

  • It involves observing individuals in their natural setting.
• Naturalistic Observation

  • The researcher makes no manipulation of variables or take effort in controlling the activities of people or things being observed.
• Systematic Observation

  • It involves specification of the exact actions, attributes or other variables that are to be recorded precisely how they are to be recorded.
• Systematic Observation

  • The intent of this is to ensure that under the same or similar circumstances, all observers will obtain the same results.
• Participant Observation

  • The researcher is not a distant observer anymore because he has joined the participants and become a part of their group.
• Participant Observation

  • The researcher interacts with other members of the group freely, participates in their activities, studies their behavior and acquires a different way of life.
• Four Different Roles of a Researcher

  1. Complete Observer
  2. Observer as Participants
  3. Participants as Observer
  4. Complete Participant
• Complete Observer

  • This is a detached observer and the participants are not aware that they are under observation and the identity of the observe is neither seen or noticed by the participants.
• Observer as Participants

  • The researcher is known and recognized by the participants and in many cases, the participants know the research goals of the observer.
• Participant as Observer

  • The researcher is fully engaged with the participants. She is more of a friend or colleague than a neutral third party. While there is full interaction with participants, they still known that this is a researcher.
• Complete Participant

  • There is a fully embedded researcher, almost like a spy. The observer fully engages with the participants and partakes in their activities.