Moser and Kalton - " An accurate watching and noticing of natural phenomena as they occur in nature with regards to cause and effect or mutual relations"
Types of Observation
(A) Structured and Unstructured Observation -
in unstructured observation the observation by the researcher takes place without any pre defined plan and characteristics in advance whereas in structured observation the observation by the researcher takes place with a pre defined plan and characteristics
structured observation includes careful definition of units to be observed, the style of recording information, standardize conditions of observation etc. when observation takes place without these characteristics it is unstructured observation.
structured observation is formal in nature and are considered more appropriate for descriptive studies whereas unstructured observation is informal in nature and are used in exploratory studies.
structured observation is less preferred because researcher isn't free to observe all the aspects which exists. ideally it is done in lab settings but it can be done in field setting as well but control may not be high. it focuses on selected aspects of behaviour.
(B) Participant and Non participant -
participant observation is a naturalistic observation method where the observer/ researcher makes himself the part of the group he wants to observe, where what the group member experience is also experienced by the researcher.it is non controlled observation.
Merits-
- we get to observe the natural behaviour of the subjects and asses the real character of subjects.
- the group doesn't know about the researcher and consent is not taken.
- Better understanding takes place by being the part of the group.
- non controlled observation.
- the researcher can gather information which could not be easily available if he observes in general.
- the researcher can even verify the recordings made in 1st person.
Demerits-
- the researcher might get emotionally involved with the group and hence lose the objectivity of being the participant.
- range of experience reduce because you have no control over observation.
when the researcher observes the activities or behaviour of group of subjects from a distance in a detached manner is known as non participant observation. Here the researcher doesn't attempt to experience by participating, the activities carried out by subjects.
Merits -
- your prejudices or biases doesn't affect the result.
- time, money are saved since you don't have to live with the group as a participant.
- It is used in large scale studies.
Demerits-
- you get information that is on surface and not in depth.
- you may not get Sensitive information or some information may be hidden from you.
- Understanding is limited as we aren't aware of the details.
(C) Controlled and Uncontrolled Observation -
An uncontrolled observation is when observation takes place in a natural setting. the main aim of this type of observation is to get a spontaneous picture of life and persons and to study the natural and complete behaviour.
A controlled observation is when researchers conduct observations of participants in a controlled environment. In a controlled observation, the researcher selects which participants to observe, where and when to observe them, and standardizes the procedure.
in uncontrolled observation no precision instruments are used but in controlled observation use of mechanical or precision instruments is done as it aids to achieve accuracy and it is a standardised process. such observations have tendency to give data which can be generalised with some degree of assurance. Generally controlled observation takes place in laboratory experiments and uncontrolled observations ae used in exploratory researches.
the main pitfall of uncontrolled observation is the subjective interpretation. There is also the danger of having the feeling that we know about the observed phenomenon than we actually do.
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