Name:Saima Islam Anu

Id no:KCCWC 212014
Course no:CDFR 3107
Course title:Research Methodology I

Observation method
INTRODUCTION
Observation is one of the most important research methods in social sciences and at the
same time one of the most diverse.

Observation means watching carefully. We do see many things, situations in our routine life.
There may not be any motive behind seeing. What we see is mostly casual and without any
purpose. But observation is different from casual seeing; it is being done systematically with
a definite purpose. In the process of observation the observer uses all his sensory organs in
an integrated manner. The observer obtains information about the World around him for a
definite purpose. This is one of the best scientific tools to collect the data for research.

Research Methods Observation has to be done carefully and systematically. On the basis
of observation the data is collected, analysed, processed and used for research purpose.
Most important is the need for impartial observation. The observer’s experience is unique
and peculiar to himself. Naturally, the data collected may be less standardised. Still this is
one of the most useful methods of data collection for research especially in social sciences.
Even in the libraries this method is used to understand the behaviour and attitude of the
users in making use of the library services.

Observation method of collecting the data is one of the oldest and this technique is used by
both the scientists and social scientists. The term observation sounds to be simple and gives
an impression that the collection of data through this method is easy. But it is not true in
scientific investigation. There is also a criticism that this method is unreliable but by doing it
more scientifically, limitations could be overcome. This method of data collection is one of
the oldest method and it can be treated as scientific only when the criteria such as
objectivity, free from bias, reliability and systematisation is followed.
This Unit discusses the meaning and purpose of the observation method of data collection.It
also dwells on how to plan for and the different types of observation. The advantages and
disadvantages are also stated.

MEANING AND DEFINITION

Observation is a systematic process of recording the behavioural patterns of people,
objects and occurrences without questioning or otherwise communicating with them.Every
human being observes the things around him, many times it is casual and without any
purpose. They observe it because it is in front of them. As seeing is not planned and
concentrated the observer may not be able to remember what has happened and even what
is remembered could not be in detail. The observation takes place in natural situation without
any controls imposed by the observer on the situation. It helps to
collect the data as it occurs without any interference. Complete and detailed data is collected
and recorded through observation of a phenomena or behaviour. However, it needs to be
planned and all the sensory organs have to be used. The data has to be collected and
recorded systematically. Many disciplines/subjects including sciences and social sciences
have been developed with the data collected through this method. The behavioural scientists
and anthropologists
devised/prepared several theories on the basis of observation. To make the data reliable and
valid, the process has to be planned and the data has to be recorded systematically. There
is also a need for checks and controls while collecting the data.

Observation is defined as a planned methodical watching that involves constraints to

improve accuracy (Ram Ahuja).
Krishna Swami defined observation as a systematic viewing of a specific phenomenon in its
proper setting for the specific purposed of gathering data for a particular study.

Observe means “to watch attentively in a scientific manner”. In an observational

study, the current status of phenomenon is determined not by asking but by
observing Ronald R Powell).
The definitions state that watching with a definite plan / systematically a specific situation/
phenomena with a definite purpose of collecting the data helps in recording accurate data.

Types of observation

Observation methods 4 types.

There are four main types of observation used in research:

1. Participant Observation: In participant observation, the researcher becomes

a part of the group or community they are studying. This allows the researcher
to collect data from the "inside out" and gain a deeper understanding of the
group's culture and social interactions. However, participant observation can
also be challenging, as the researcher may need to balance their role as a
researcher with their role as a participant.
2. Non-Participant Observation: In non-participant observation, the researcher
observes the group or community from a distance. This can be done in person
or through video recordings. Non-participant observation is less likely to bias
 the results of the study, as the researcher is not involved in the group's
activities. However, it can also be more difficult to collect data from a distance,
as the researcher may not be able to get as close to the action.
3. Naturalistic observation: The researcher observes the group or setting in its
natural environment. This allows the researcher to see how people behave in
real-world situations. However, it can be difficult to control for extraneous
variables.
4. Controlled observation: The researcher observes the group or setting in a
more controlled environment, such as a laboratory. This allows the researcher
to control for extraneous variables, but it may not be representative of how
people behave in real-world situations.

Features of observation

1. Eye Observation – In an accurate sense, observation involves the use of the eyes
rather than the use of the ears and the voice. An experienced worker never believes in
hearsay he only trusts if he has observed that with his own eyes or if the report is a
first hand evidence of his eyes. So it can be said that observation done with the help
of the eyes acts as a most trustworthy medium for making an observation.

2. Aim – Observations which act on scientific grounds are brought in use by the
scientists or the researchers with some or the other aim to achieve something. Such
scientists make their observations in a very minute and a detailed manner which
helps them in achieving specific goals. These goals can include discovery of
something, verification of the hypothesis etc.

3. Planning – The value of an observation in an operation is only if it is done properly

– in a planned manner as, if it is done in a careless sense then the chance of making
such an observation again may come or not. Hence, observation should be carried
out in a very phased and a planned manner in order to get in depth understanding of
an activity.

4. Recording – The various operations that we perform and the results that we obtain
should be remembered but a known fact is that memory is very deceptive in nature.
With the passage of time things tend to get out of mind, so it is very important to
keep a record of such activities. One very common method to keep a track of these
activities is to write down the various impressions, but now a days a tape or in some
cases a video camera is used for the recording purposes.

5. Physical and mental activity – Sense organs have a very critical role to play in the
observation process. During the observation researcher or an investigator has to use
his sense organs for seeing and hearing things and then has to keep in mind the
whole set of observations for an in depth analysis of the matter later on.

6. Exactness – Observation should be based on standardized tools of research which

makes an observation exact in its nature of working.

7. Direct study – Observation is a very vital scientific method that helps a lot in the
collection of the primary information that is reliable in nature in which direct study
of the situation is involved.

Advantages of Observation

1. Very direct method for collecting data or information – best for the study of human
behavior.

2. Data collected is very accurate in nature and also very reliable.

3. Improves precision of the research results.

4. Problem of depending on respondents is decreased.

5. Helps in understanding the verbal response more efficiently.

6. By using good and modern gadgets – observations can be made continuously and
also for a larger duration of time period.

7. Observation is less demanding in nature, which makes it working propeities.

8. By observation, one can identify a problem by making an in depth analysis of the

problems.
Disadvantages of Observation

1. Problems of the past cannot be studied by means of observation.

2. Having no other option one has to depend on the documents available.

3. Observations like the controlled observations require some especial instruments or

tools for effective working, which are very much costly.

4. One cannot study opinions by this means.

5. Attitudes cannot be studied with the help of observations.
6. Sampling cannot be brought into use.
7. Observation involves a lot of time as one has to wait for an event to happen to
study that particular event.

8. The actual presence of the observer himself Vis a Vis the event to occur is almost
unknown, which acts as a major disadvantage of observation.
9. Complete answer to any problem or any issue cannot be obtained by observation
alone.

EightCharacteristics ofObservation Method

Some of the characteristics of observation method are as follows:

1. Observation is a Systematic Method:

Observation is not haphazard or unplanned. The length of the observation periods,

the interval between them, the number of observations, the area or situation of
observation and various techniques used for observation are carefully planned. Often
there are systematic managements for controlling the situation if special factors are
to be studied, for example study of honest behaviour, sportsman spirit, leadership.

2. Observation is Specific:

It is not just looking around for general aspects of human behaviour. Rather it is
directed at those specific aspects of total situation which are assumed to be
significant from the stand point of the purpose of the study. The layman may
frequently overlook what is crucial while observing an event or phenomenon, but the
scientific observer should look for some definite things which suit his purpose of
study so as to economies his time, money and effort for observation.

3. Observation is Objective:

Observation should be objective and free from bias as far as possible. It should
generally be guided by a hypothesis. The observer must maintain ethical neutrality.
He must consider hypothesis as something to be tested. But at the same time he must
maintain a flexible attitude, so that he can deviate from his original plan when such
deviation appears inevitable.

4. Observation is Quantitative:

Although many important phenomena cannot be quantified, it becomes almost an

imperative to use some means for quantifying observations in order to increase their
precision and to facilitate their analysis. Even the quality should be converted into
quantity, because qualitative data is subjective and quantitative one is objective and
can further be interpreted in objective manner.

5. Observation is an Affair of Eyes:

P.V. Young remarks that observation is a systematic and deliberate study through
eye. An observer gathers the data which he has seen in his own eyes. Collecting
information through eyes is probably the most trustworthy technique of data
collection in social research.
6. Definite Aim:

Observation must have some definite aims and objectives. It should be clearly
defined before the beginning of the actual observation process. Without the proper
aims and objectives observation will be unsystematic and expensive.

7. The Record of Observation is Made Immediately:

During the observation period it is very difficult on the part of the observer to
remember each and every element of observation. He may forget much important
information. If we rely on memory the factor of forgetting will enter and affect the
data of observation. Therefore the observer should record all important
information’s as soon as the observation is completed.

8. Observation is Verifiable:

Observation result can be checked and verified. Observation must be verified with
usual criteria of reliability, validity and usability. It may be possible to check the
findings of the observation by comparing the results of different observers by
repeating the study.

Importance of observation method

The importance of Observation method in data collection are:

(i) It is possible to observe the natural behavior of the group because the observer is
not stranger.

(ii) It is possible to gather quantitatively more and quantitatively better information.

(iii) It is possible to get better insights into the phenomena because the observer is
an insider. It is possible to observe secrete behavior.

(iv) It is possible to retain a high level of objectivity.

(v) A non-participant observer is able to collect considerable information because of
his open role as an observer and his eagerness to learn.

(vi) It is possible to record behavior as it occurs, without any distortions. This gives
highly qualitative data.

(vii) Observation is a flexible method of data collection.

(viii) It is independent of people’s willingness to report.