Collecting data is a key word in any research.

The way the researcher collects his data leads

to a fruitful research or a non-successful one. To collect data, there exist several tools or
instruments. It is up to the researcher to select the best tool for his research with regards to the type
of his research and its objectives, as well as the availability of the data. Observational study is one
of the technique to collect the data.

According to Oxford Concise Dictionary, observation means ‘accurate watching, noting the
phenomenon by which they occur in the nature with regard to the cause and effect of mutual
relations.’ On this basis observation method is defined as “The systematic process of recording the
behavioral patterns of people, objects, and occurrences without questioning or communicating
with them.” In simple words, Observation studies is a qualitative method of collecting and
analyzing information obtained through directly or indirectly watching and observing others in
natural or planned environments. Observation is generally the best method for studying natural
behavior, while interviews and questionnaires are more appropriate for exploring opinions and
beliefs.

Observation offers the researcher a distinct way of collecting data. It does not rely on what
people say they do, or what they say they think. The quality of any research depends on the quality
of the data collection. Instead, it draws on the direct evidence of the eye to witness events at first
hand. It is based on the premise that, for certain purposes, it is best to observe what actually
happens.
According to me, despite of the limitation of observational studies, researcher uses it because
observation allows insight into contexts, relationships and behavior. By being able to observe the
flow of behavior in its own setting, the evidence gathered can be more credible than, say, surveys,
which rely on the participants’ memory, honesty and awareness. Furthermore, it is often used to
generate new ideas. As it gives the person gathering evidence the opportunity to explore the total
situation, it often suggests lines of enquiry and outcomes not thought of before. By observing
events as they naturally occur, patterns in behavior will emerge and general questions will become
more specific. The hypotheses that result from these observations will guide the researcher in
shaping data into results.

Likewise, data from observation can be a useful check on, and supplement to, information
obtained from other sources. In other words, observation provides the confirmation to the
information gathered through other methods and also confirms that the laid information/ gathered
information is not contradicting with the observed one. Researchers often use observational
methods to investigate and gain insights on a known phenomenon. They are able to not
only investigate a particular phenomenon, but researchers are able to see and record events,
comments and interactions that may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the
'why' of a phenomenon. Observational methods allow the researcher to gain a deeper
understanding of the phenomenon.

It is said that science begins with observation and at the end also uses observation for the final
validation. So it can be said that Observation acts as very elegant method in case of scientific
investigation. Observation is not just seeing things but it is carefully watching the things and trying
to understand them in depth, in order to get some information about them. Observations sometimes
act scientifically, when used by the researchers in various research works but it should be noted
that all observations are not scientific in nature.

Reference

Vicki Wright (n.d.). Observational Techniques in Marketing Research. Houston Chronical.

Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/observational-techniques-marketing-research-
44563.html

TangataWhenua O B S E R V A T I O N ( Methods, Tools & Techniques). Retrieved from

(n. d.)
http://whatworks.org.nz/methods-tools-and-techniques/observation/

Lumen (n.d.). Methods of Collecting Data. Retrieved from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/methods-of-collecting-data/

Katherine Bradley (n.d.). The Advantages of Qualitative Observational Methods. Retrieved from
https://classroom.synonym.com/advantages-qualitative-observational-methods-
8739042.html
M. Denscombe (n.d.). Observation. McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/dl/free/0077129970/894486/Good_Research_Guide.pdf

UC Davis University of California (nd.). Strengths and limitations. Retrieved from

http://psc.dss.ucdavis.edu/sommerb/sommerdemo/observation/strengths.htm

FREMFORSK (n.d.). Future Healthcare and Patience. Retrieved from

http://www.fremforsk.dk/en/research/observation-studies/