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observationasamethodofdatacollection-200410111045.pptx
- 1. OBSERVATION AS A METHODOF DATA COLLECTION
- 2. INTRODUCTION Observational researchis used for studying observable behaviors and is generally a non invasive method of gathering information (cress well,2003) Can be made continuously or in specific time periods
- 3. OBSERVATION Observation isa way of gathering data by watching behavior, events or noting physical characteristics in their natural setting. Observation can be overt (everyone knows they are being observed) or covert (they do not know that they are being observed and the observer is concealed) Observations can also be either direct or indirect
- 4. Direct observation:direct observation is when you watch interactions, processes or behavior as they occur Eg: observing a teacher’s teaching a lesson from a written curriculum to determine whether they delivering it with precision Indirect observation : indirect observation are when you watch the results of interactions, process or behaviors Eg: measuring the amount of waste left in the plates by students in a school cafeteria to determine whether a new food if acceptable to them
- 5. Lindzey Gardner hasdefined it as “Selection, provocation, recording and encoding of that set of behavior and settings concerning organisms “insitu” which are consistent with empirical aims”. E.g. In one experiment ,the quarrel of 40 children were observed on playgrounds for 4 months .In all ,they quarreled for 200 times during this period. It was found that 1. average duration of conflict was very short that varied from 24 seconds to 1 minute 2.boys quarrelled more than girls 3.with increase in age there were less quarrels.4 there were less quarrels where boys and girls played together than places where they played separately and mostly quarrels were stopped by children themselves/ referees or teachers.
- 6. According to Zikmund,six kinds of dimensions can be observed .These are : 1. Physical actions 2. Verbal Behavior 3. Expressive Behaviour 4. Spatial relations 5. temporal pattern 6. verbal records
- 9. TYPES Structured observation Unstructured observation Participant observation Non participant observation
- 10. STRUCTURED Researcher inadvance prepares a structured or semi structured tool to observe the phenomenon under study Guided by pre planned structured or semi structured instrument Researcher observe only specific attribute or behavior in accordance with planned observation guidelines Help the researcher to be on the track Analysis of data collected during this method of observation remains easy
- 11. Tools Checklist Rating scale
- 12. UNSTRUCTURED OBSERVATION Unstructuredobservation is generally used in qualitative studies, where observation is made with minimally structured or researcher imposed categories. It is used for compete and non specific observation of phenomenon which is very well known by the researcher Carried out by unstructured tools Log and field notes Field diary Video recording
- 13. PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION Observermay live or work in field and actively participate in ongoing activities for the extended period Observer becomes the accepted member of group or community Unstructured tools are used to collect the data such as log books field notes , field diary tape and video recording etc
- 14. NON PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION Observer work as an eavesdropper (secretly listening or observing ), where an attempt is made to observe people without interacting with them The observer is not a participant in the setting but is merely viewing the situation People are observed with out their knowledge that are they are being observed routinely used by psychologists to study children or animal Possesses ethical problems
- 15. Process of observation Selectinga topic Choosing a research site Gaining access in setting and taking a role Jotting down field notes Formulating ananlysis Writing report
- 16. Process of observation Selectinga topic Choosing a research site Gaining access in setting and taking a role Jotting down field notes Formulating ananlysis Writing report
- 17. Process of observation Selectinga topic Choosing a research site Gaining access in setting and taking a role Jotting down field notes Formulating ananlysis Writing report
- 18. Process of observation Selectinga topic Choosing a research site Gaining access in setting and taking a role Jotting down field notes Formulating ananlysis Writing report
- 19. The Observer: Skills& Training Skills :observation particularly participant observation relies much on the attributes of the researcher for both amount and quality of Information .An observer is often expected to collect data single handedly. Exact knowledge of the subject, previous exp, flexibility, ability to get along with others and to remain unbiased are of great importance Training : 1.Thorough explaining the research topic 2. knowledge of the people to be observed 3. understanding unexpected problems likely to be faced 4.adaptability and flexibility 5.ability to observe several thing simultaneously 6.determining the extent of involvement 7. continuous observation so that occurrences are recorded for the entire duration of the event
- 20. UNITS OF OBSERVATION In selecting behaviors, attributes or situations to be observed, researcher must decide what constitute a unit There are two approaches Molar approach Molecular approach Actually are two end points of continuum Molar approach: entiles observe large units of behavior and treating them as a whole Molecular approach : uses small , higly specific behaviours as observational units
- 21. PLANNING FOR OBSERVATION Determine the focus Design a system of data collection Select the sites Select the observers Train the observers Time your observations appropriately
- 22. QUALITATIVE OBSERVATIONAL METHODS Qualitativeresearchers collect unstructured or loosely structured observational data for some studies , often as an important supplement to the self report data Unstructured observational data are gathered in field setting through the process known as “participant observation”
- 23. PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION Bogdan (1972)defines participant observation as “research characterized by a prolonged period of intense social interaction between the researcher and subjects, in the milieu of the latter during which time data are unobtrusively and systematically collected” Participant observation is used by grounded theory researches, ethnographies, and researchers with ideological perspectives
- 24. PARTICIPANT OBSERVERS ROLE Leininger (1985) describes a participant observers role is 4 phases Primary observation Primary observation with some participation Primary participation with some observation Reflective observation Junker (1960)- continnum: Complete participant Participant as observer Observe as participant Complete observer
- 25. PROCESS Observer mustovercome at least initial hurdles Gaining enter into the social group or culture Establishing rapport and develop trust within the social group Practical aspects Gaining an overview Gaining enter Gaining rapport Gathering unstructured observational data
- 26. LEVELS OF OBSERVATION Spardly ( 1980) Descriptive observation Focused observation Selective observation While in the field Single positioning Multiple positioning Mobile positioning
- 27. RECORDING OBSERVATIONS Alog or a field diary Field notes Descriptive notes /observational notes Reflective notes Theoretical notes / analytical notes Methodological notes Personal notes
- 28. OBSERVATIONAL METHODS : STRUCTUREDOBSERVATIONS More numeric information Plans developed before the observation Not appropriate when limited knowledge Approaches Category system Check list Rating scale
- 29.
Editor's Notes
- #2 Observation is a method that employs vision as its main mean of data collection. IT IMPLIES THE USE OF EYES RATHER THAN EARS AND THE VOICE. It is watching other persons behavior as it actually happens without controlling it.e.g watching bonded laborers life or sufferings of a widow provides graphic description of their social life and sufferings.insitu observation…
- #3 covert = cow
- #5 I this definition selection means that there is a focus in observation.Provocation mean sthat though observer do not destroy natural settings but they can make subte changes in natural settings to increase clarity. Rcording means that events are recorded and encoding means simplification of records. Lindzey Gardner American psychologist empirical aims =factual Purpose of observation=The main purpose of observation is to capture human conduct as it actually happens or to provide more graphic description of social life for example how do women behave when they are physically a ssaulted by the husbands or how do young widows behave when they are humiliated or exploited by the in laws or how are bonded labourers treatedvby their land loss. it can be used as a tool of collecting information in situations where methods other than observation cannot prove to be useful for example workers behaviour during strike.
- #6 The question is what is observed in this method of observation six kinds of dimensions or contents can be observed which is pattern of working watching television for example conversations between husband wife in laws colleagues of workers for example tone of voice special expressions s for example physical distance between workers in a factory for example amount of time spend in performing in shopping in talking in watching TV for example content of memorando slogan started the feelings attitude motivations Expectations interactions and preferences cannot be observed this dimensions of observation can be illustrated by one example of observing students in the library what can be observed is shown in the table below
- #7 The above mention dimensions of observation can be illustrated by one example of observing students in a library what can be observed is shown in the table here
- #10 Structured observation is organised and planned which employees formal procedure has a set of well defined observation categories and is subjected to high level of control and differentiation and
- #12 structure is loosely organised and the process large he left to the observer to define
- #13 Participant observation is a method investigator becomes a part of the situation he is studying he involved himself in the setting and group life of the resource subjects. The weakness in this type of observation are since the observer participate in the even sometimes he becomes so involt that he loses objectivity in observation and he also influences events
- #14 n Non participant observation the observer remains detached and does not participate or intervene in the activities he only observes their behavior. sometime this places the person being observed in awkward position and their conduct becomes a unnatural but some say that the initially the observer behaviour may affectthe behaviour of the observed but after a little wireless and less attention is presence this type observations more useful as it role of Data Collection because of can choose the situation to be observed and record the date freely.
- #15 Since observation involved sensitive human interaction it cannot be reduced to a simple set of techniques yet some Scholars have tried to point out the path that the observer in the field has to follow 1. After deciding the problem of interest for example hostel culture, prisoners adjustment slumdwellers workers strike in the industry the researcher has to decide manageable area for observation and data collection
- #16 Once the site for the studies chosen the observer faces of problem of obtaining entry in the setting this is made possible by spelling out the motives of the study and seeing permission from the administration or by concealing the motive and seeking the help of knownperson in the situation but in some settings the entry is not restricted free and open anyone whom I choose to be there in some settings however the entry is not restricted it is free and open to anyone whom I choose to be there Raymond gold has pointed out 4 basic roles which observer can assume 1.complete observer 2.observer as participant 3.participant as observer and complete participant the first one remains detached from the situation the second is completely open about his research objectives and he approach is people on that basis the third trends to get quit involved effectively or conceal his role as a researcher the force becomes almost fully in world both behaverally and emotionally after getting entry and taking up the role the success of failure of getting information by those over would depend upon the trust of the mistress able to get from the people hot to be observed
- #17 It is possible that to researchers studying observing same situation may give two different types of analysis particular analysis qualitative one might focus on one type of social dimension other on a different type all together one analysis made challenge with existing theoretical view of social life whether while Adam is supported classify the initial initial late on base of accepted concepts and categories like status rules socialisation mobilities structure in sociology or buyer seller user client code of ethics attitude may provide a core base but later on new conceptual categories maybe develop This involts writing of the report for submission to the sponsoring agency or for Publication
- #18 Taking accurate and detailed notes objective is very crucial since researcher initially may not know which data would be ultimately useful and important he should take down all the details to be sorted out later on the note should record the description of the setting under investigation description of subjects description of conversation with persons and among persons and any fact of relevance of unusual importance this should be followed by 102 explanation of things observed
- #19 1. An observer so has to be perceived in terms of skills and training . The quality of the observer is more significant than investigators in other forms of Data Collection 2. This skills require not only careful selection of observerse but also their planned training must concentrate on issues that a Central to the study f