This document discusses different types of observation methods used in social research, including their key features and advantages/disadvantages. It covers participant observation, non-participant observation, structured observation, naturalistic observation, and covert/overt behavior observation. The document also discusses observation schedules, coding schemes, and provides examples of how different observation methods could be used to study topics like literacy rates.

1. - Yash Vardhan Singh

2.  Non-experimental design.
 Absence of independent variable does not
allow any cause and effect relationship.
 Key feature – Standardized plan and
systematic approach to objectively observe and
record behavior.
Observation
Overt
Behavior
Covert
Behavior

3.  To ensure that each participant’s behavior is
systematically recorded so it is possible to
aggregate the behavior of all those in sample.

4.  Participant observation
 Non-Participant observation
 Structured observation
 Non- Structured
 Naturalistic Observation

5.  It is observation of respondent by researcher in
respondent’s natural social settings.
 Researcher has no influence over behavior of
respondent.
 Behavior of respondent is examined and
recorded without consent of him.

6.  Advantages:
 Good for observing specific subjects.
Ecologically valid recordings of natural behavior.
Spontaneous behavior likely to happen.
 Disadvantages:
 Threat to confidentiality

7.  Method relatively underused in social research.
 Systematically and planned observing behavior
in a controlled environment.
 Direct observation of behavior and recording of
the behavior and the recording of that behavior
in term of categories that have been devised
prior to start data collection.
 Explicitly formulated rules for observation and
recording of behavior.

8.  Rules inform the observer about what they
should look for and how they should record
behavior.
 These rules are articulated in observation
schedule.

9.  Advantages
 Observing direct behavior.
 Allows control of extraneous variable.
 Reliability of results by repetitive study.
 Provides a safe environment to study continuous
concepts.
 Disadvantages
 Control can effect behavior.
 Observer Bias.
 Imposing of irrelevant framework.
 Not possible to know intentions behind behavior.
 Unable to produce data a whole.

10.  No use of observation schedule for recording of
behavior.
 Gives narrative account of the behavior.
 Unplanned and informal.
 It studies behavior of respondent in the natural
social settings.

11.  Advantages
 Broad overview of the situation and conditions
prevailing in the society.
 Useful when subject matter is clear.
 Disadvantages
 Appropriate as first step.
 Not specific approach as it is the narrative
description of observation.
 Problem of generalization.

12.  Best known method in social science research.
 Associated with qualitative research.
 Prolonged physical immersion of observer in a
social setting in which he seeks to observe the
behavior of members of that setting.
 In-depth study of the society and subject.
 Close interaction and relation between
observer and subject.

13.  Advantages
 Insiders view.
 Researcher becomes an accepted part of the
environment.
 Detailed study of social settings.
 Identification of real problems and elements that are
leading to such problems.
 Disadvantages
 Problem of objectivity.
 Close relation affects study.
 Time taking process.
 Unstructured.

14.  Observer observes but does not participate in
what is going on in the social settings.
 Planned and structured.
 Observer abstains himself from his physical
presence in the social settings.
 Other sources are used to come to conclusion.

15.  Advantages
 Avoidance of Observer effect.
 Biased free.
 Low cost and less time consuming.
 Disadvantages
 Reliance on secondary sources which may be
inaccurate.
 No identification of real problem and prevailing
social settings.
 No in-depth study.

16.  Coding scheme.
 Specifies the categories of the behavior that are
to be observed and how behavior should be
allocated to these categories.
 One of the best-known schedules for
observation of class rooms is Flanders
Interaction Analysis Categories (FIAC) devised
by Flanders(1970).

17. FIAC Categories

18.  Literacy is one of the factors to development.
 To know the impact of the illiteracy in the rural
society it is natural to adopt structured
observation. Although non-participation
observation is sufficient to arrive at a conclusion.
 But to know the specific causes of illiteracy and
impact on development a certain level of
participation is necessary.
 By observing the living standard, income and
health conditions of literates and illiterates.

19.  Observation method is an important method
and tool in social research.
 It is very important in arriving at new
conclusions and findings.
 In-depth study leads to identifications of real
problems.