OBSERVATION & ITS TYPES
INTRODUCTION
From the earliest history of
scientific activity, observation has been the prevailing methods of inquiry.
Observation of natural phenomena judged by systematic classification and
measurement led to the development of theories and laws of nature’s force.
Observation is one of the most refined modern research technique. Observation
seeks to ascertain what people think and do by walking them in action as they
express themselves in various situations and activities. It can be made
progressively more scientific to meet the needs of the particular situation and
observation is a fundamental tool even at the most advanced levels of science.
OBSERVATION
Observation
is recognized as the most direct means of studying people when one is
interested in their overt behavior. Observation is defined as “a planned
methodological watching that involves constraints to improve accuracy.”
According to Gardner (1975), observation is the selection, provocation,
recording and encoding of that set of behaviours and settings concerning
organism “in situ’ whcih arc consistent with empirical aims.”
CHARACTERISTICS OF
OBSERVATION
1)
Observation is at once a physical as well as
mental activity.
2)
Observation is selective and purposeful.
3)
Scientific observation is systematic
4)
Observation is specific 5) Scientific
observation is objective.
6)
Scientific observation is quantitative.
7)
The record of observation is immediately.
8)
Observation is verifiable
9)
Behavior is observed is natural surroundings
10)
It enables understanding significant events affecting social
relations of the participants.
11)
It determines reality from the perspective of
observed person
himself.
12)
It identifies regularities and recurrences in
social life by
comparing data is one
study with those in another study.
13)
It focused on hypotheses free inquiry
14)
It avoids manipulations in the independent
variable.
15)
Observation involves some controls pertaining
to the
observe and to the means he
uses to record data.
TYPES
OF OBSERVATION
1)
Casual & Scientific observation
An
observation may be either casual or scientific. Casual observation occurs
without any previous preparations. Scientific observation is carried out with
the help of tools of measurement.
2)
Simple and systematic observation
Observation
is found in almost all research studies, at least in the exploratory stage.
Such data collection is often called simple observation. Its practice is not
very standardized. Systematic observation it employs standardized procedures,
training of observers, schedules for recording.
3.
Subjective and Objective Observation
One
may have to observe one’s own immediate experience, it is called subjective
observation. In any investigations, the observer is an entity apart from the
thing observed, that type of observation is called objective observation
4.
Intra – subjective and inter subjective
observation
If
repeated observation of a constant phenomenon by the same observer yield
constant data the observation is said to be intra subjective. If repeated
observations of a constant phenomenon by different observers yield constant
data the observation is said to be inter subjective
5.
Direct and indirect observation
The direct observation
describes the situation in which the observer is physically present and
personally monitors what take place. Indirect observation is used to describe
studies in which the recording is done by mechanical, photographic or
electronic means.
6.
Structured and Un structured observation
Structured
observation is organised and planned which employs formal procedures, has
a set of well defined observation
categories, and is subjectd to high levels of control and differentiation.
Unstructured observations is loosely organized and the process is largely left
to the observer to define.
7.
Natural
and Artificial Observation
Natural
observation is one in which observation is made in natural settings while
artificial observation is one in which observation is made in a laboratory
conditions
8.
Participant and Non-participant observation
When
the observer participates with the activities of these under study is called
participant observation Merits:- Acquiring wide information, Easy in exchange
of clear observation of neutral and real behavior. Limitations :- larger time
required, greater resources required lack of objectivity.
When
the observer does not actually participate in the activities of the group to be
studied but simply present in the group it is common as non participant
observation. The observer in this method makes not effort to his influence or to create a relationship
between him and the group. Merits:- Acquiring information with influence ,
maintaining impartial status, maintaining objectivity and scientific outlet.
Limitations:- Inadequate and
incomplete observation, subjectivity,
Unnatural
attitude of the subject matter of observation
ORGANIZATION
OF FIELD OBSERVATION
For
valid and useful field observation, the following steps have be taken .
1.
Determination of the method of study ie the
field observation in relation to the phenomena.
2.
Determination of the nature and limits of
observation is the preparation of a plan of observation
3.
Decision as of directness of observation ie
the relationship between the observer and the subject must be direct.
4.
Determination of Expert investigations
/Agency of field observation is the person who makes observation may be the
researcher himself or the field workers
5.
Determination of time, place and subject to
study
6.
Provision of mechanical Appliances needed in
the usage of various instrumental aids like camera, maps.
7.
Data collection, having arranged all the
necessary tools and equipments need for research.
8.
Data
analysis :- The data should be analyzed and processed
through
classification, tabulation etc.
9.
Generalization
:-
The interpretation leading to draw general conclusion
Sarantakos
(1998) has printed out the following six steps in observation.
1.
Selection of the topic :- This refers to
determining the issue
to be studied through
observations e.g.:- material conflict,
riot etc.
2.
Formulation of the topic :- This involves
fixing up categories
to be observed and pointing
out situations in which cases are to be
observed.
3.
Research design :- This determines
identification of subjects
to be observed preparing
observation schedule if any and arranging entry in situations to be observed.
4.
Collection of data :- This involves
familiarization with the
setting, observation and recording.
5.
Analysis of data :- The researcher analyze
the data, prepares
tables of interprets.
6.
Report writing :- This involves writing of
the report for
submission to the
sponsoring agency or for publication.
GUIDELINES TO
EFFECTIVE OBSERVATION
1.
Obtain Prior knowledge of what to observe.
2.
Examine general and specific objective.
3.
Define and Establish categories, each
category or level of data being collected should be concisely and
carefully described by indicating the
phenomena the investigator expects to find in each.
4.
Observe carefully and critically.
5.
Rate specific phenomena independently, using
well defined
rating scale.
6.
Devise a method of recording results ie the
observation schedule.
7.
Become well acquainted with the recording
instrument.
8.
Observers would separate the facts from their
interpretation at a later time. They can observe the facts, and make
interpretation at a later time.
9.
Observations are to be checked and verified,
wherever possible by repetition or by comparison with those of other competent
observers.
INSTRUMENTAL
AND IN OBSERVATION
Instruments
such as the camera, stopwatch, light meter, audiometer, SET meter, audio and
video tape recorders, mechanical counter, and other devices like detailed field
notes, checklist, maps, schedules, store cards , socio-metric scales etc make
possible observations that are more precise than mere sense observations. Such
things are also referred as techniques of control as used in controlled
observation.
PROCESS
OF OBSERVATION
Observation involves three
process ie sensation , attention perception. Sensation in gained through the
sense organs which depends upon the physical alertness of the observer. Then
comes attention on concentration which is largely a matter of habit. The third
is perception which comprises the interpretation of sensory reports.
Thus sensation merely reports the mind to recognize the
facts.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD OBSERVER
1.
The observer should pocess efficient sense
organs.
2.
The observer must able to estimate rapidly
and accurately
3.
The observer must possess sufficient
alertness’ to observer several details simultaneously .
4.
The observer must be able to control the
effects of his personal prejudices.
5.
The observer should be in good physical
conditions
6.
The observer must be able to record
immediately and
accurately
The
observer should be a visiting stranger, an attentive, listener eager learner of
a participant observer.
VARIOUS
STEPS OF GOOD OBSERVATION
1.
Intelligent
planning
Intelligent
planning should be needed in a good observation, the observer should be fully
trained as well equipped, too many variables may not be observed
simultaneously, the conditions of observation should remain constant.
2.
Expert
execution
An
expert execution demands utilizing the
training received in terms of expertness, proper, arrangement of special
conditions for the subject, occupying, phisical observing, focussing attention
on the specific well defined activities, observing discreet keeping in mind the
length, number and intervals of observation decided up on and handling well the
recording instruments to be used.
3.
Adequate
recording
The
recording should be as comprehensive as possible to over all the points and not
miss any substantive issues
4.
Scientific
Interpretation
The
interpretation made and recorded comprehensively need to be interpreted
carefully. So adequacies and competencies required for this need to be present
in an observer. This alone facilities a good interpretation.
ADVANTAGES
OF OBSERVATION
1.
It allows collection of wide range of
information
2.
It is a flexible technique in which research
design can be modified at any time
3.
It is less complicated and less time
consuming.
4.
It approaches reality in its natural
structure and studies events as they evolve.
5.
It is relatively inexpenience
6.
The
observer can assess the emotional reaction of subjects.
7.
The observer is able to record the content
which gives meaning to respondant’s expression
8.
The behaviour being observed in natural
environment will not cause any bias.
9.
Superior in data collection on dependable and
convincing
10.
Greater accuracy and reliability of data.
11.
Results are more dependable and convincing
LIMITATIONS
OF OBSERVATION
1.
Establishing the validity of observation is
always difficult
2.
The problem of subjectivity also involved
3.
There is the possibility of distortion of the
phenomena through the very act of observing.
4.
It is a slow and laborious process
5.
The events may not be easily classifiable
6.
The data may be unmanageable
7.
It is going to be a costly affair
8.
It
cannot offer quantitative generations.
CONCLUSION.
Observation
is a more natural way of gathering data. Every teacher has to observe his
students in different situations at different times. Observation became an
effective tool of scientific study when it is planned systematically recorded
systematically is subjected to check and control and selected observers have
skill and are trained
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