“Observation” in sociological research refers to a technique where researchers examine participants’ continuing behaviour (or subjects). As opposed to methods like interviews or surveys, observations focus on what subjects do rather than just what they say.
One of the main research techniques is observation. Personal collection of the data or information is referred to as primary research. The secondary research approach, in contrast, chooses to analyse data that has already been gathered before the investigation even starts.
Sociologists conduct studies via observation, which involves observing people in social settings and documenting what is said and done. There are many various types of observation, such as overt and covert (the subjects may or may not be aware that they are being watched), participant and non-participant, among others (the researcher may or may not play an active part in what is being observed). Each sort of observation has advantages and disadvantages of its own.
The best definition of Observation
The definition of “observation” given by Merriam-Webster is “an act of recognising and noting a fact or occurrence frequently incorporating measurement with equipment,” or “a record or description so gained.”
Types of Observation
A laboratory setting or the natural world can both be used for observation. The methods used for conducting observations might range from total flexibility to the usage of pre-coded, intricate formal instruments. The observer may actively participate in the group he is seeing, he may be a third-party observer or the subjects he is observing may not be aware of his existence.
Thus, we can generally categorise scientific observation based on the following three criteria:
(1) controlled/uncontrolled observation.
(2) Structured/unstructured/partially structured observation.
(3) Participant/non-participant/disguised observation.
Depending on the study’s objectives, a particular observational technique should be adopted. The observational process is most likely to be rather unstructured and the observer is more likely to take part in group activities in an exploratory study.
On the other hand, observational procedures for research of the descriptive or experimental kind are more likely to be somewhat structured and involve less involvement on the part of the observer.
However, it should be highlighted that both the level of structure and the level of involvement do not have to be equal. In an exploratory study, the researcher, for instance, can be a participant observer, a non-participant, or a covert observer. It may be necessary to combine participant observation with a highly organised observational instrument depending on the research scenario.
Whatever the goal of his research, the investigator should first consider four broad questions before beginning his observations. These questions are
(i)What should be observed?
(ii) How should the observation be recorded?
(iii) How can the accuracy of the observation be ensured?
(iv) What relationship should exist between the observer and the observed?
(v) How should the desired relationship be established?
The conclusions made above are dependent on the study’s design and the degree to which observational procedures can be structured, hence the questions cannot be uniformly answered. Now let’s talk about the main categories of observational techniques. The degree of structure is one of the most helpful criteria for categorising observational methods.
Thus, two ideal-typical observing methods are obtained
Unstructured
Structured
It will be useful to keep in mind that there are different levels of structuredness in actual practice, i.e., that there is a continuum between structuredness and unstructuredness rather than a clear-cut demarcation between the two forms of observation.
Unstructured Observation
In its ideal-typical formulation, the unstructured observation is completely different from the structured observation. The meticulous characterization of the units to be observed, the information to be recorded, the choice of important facts for observation, and the standardisation of observational settings are the characteristics of structured observation.
In light of all of these, the unstructured observation best simulates a conflicting scenario.
What should be noticed is the well-formulated research problem or hypotheses in highly structured investigations make it evident which data will be most pertinent.
However, in exploratory investigations, it is impossible to predict in advance which features of the scenario would be crucial. The observer’s perception of the scenario is likely to alter as he observes because unstructured observation is typically employed as an exploration tool.
This could then require adjustments to what he notices. It should be highlighted that such adjustments to observational focus are frequently desirable. Unstructured observation is characterised by such emphasis changes in response to the demands of the event.
That is to say, unstructured observation is flexible and allows for periodic shifts in emphasis if and when credible clues or doubts require such changes to make it easier to take account of fresh observational data that may seem relevant or significant at various times in the future. The observer always maintains a state of alert receptivity to extract his cues from unexpected happenings.
While no stringent criteria or hard and speedy policies can be laid down as to how the observer will circulate approximately gazing a selected situation it’d be useful, but, to suggest some of the tremendous aspects that the observer can forget about first-class at his peril.
(1) The observer must see who the individuals are, what number they’ll be and the way they’re related to each different.
(2) The observer has to understand the ‘setting.’ He has to apprehend in addition to its overt appearance, the kinds of behaviour it encourages, discourages or prevents and its social tendencies.
(3) The observer wants to moreover recognize the purpose which has brought the concern-members collectively, the nature of the cause and the manner the dreams of individuals are associated.
(4) The observer should additionally recognize what the people do, how, with whom and with what they do it. For instance, the observer needs to recognise what stimulus initiated the behaviour, what the cause is toward which the behaviour is directed, what are the trends of the behaviour (period, depth, and plenty of others) and what are its consequences.
It ought to be cited that in a realistic situation, it is frequently not possible to gain enough clues to allow this kind of comprehensive description. It may also be that the route of events is too fluid to allow the attention of all dimensions of a social scenario or that a certain factor of an occurrence may be so vital as to need the whole hobby of the observer. Recording a statement involves fundamental problems such as
(i) When need the notes to be taken, and
(ii) How the notes have to be saved.
The nice time for recording is immediate and all through the event. This outcome in minimizing selective bias and distortions of reminiscence. There are, but, many conditions in which phrase taking straight away isn’t feasible because of the fact this is probably to have an impact on the naturalness of the situation and create suspicions in minds of the people being decided.
Constantly observe taking may also affect the exceptional statement, as the observer has to divide his hobby between gazing and writing. As a result, at some stage in the way, the relevant factors of the scenario can be misplaced by the eye.
In a scenario wherein at once, specific word-taking is not viable, the memory of the observer can be too closely taxed if the recording is postponed to the expiry of an observational duration. In certain situations, it can additionally help if the observer retires from an ongoing scenario for a few minutes each hour to make more particular notes. The observer must be penned down as quick as feasible, after the duration of the remark, an entire account of everything critical inside the state of affairs. The facility of recording improves if the observer advanced some kind of indexing machine.
Ensuring the accuracy of the remark is another essential situation for the observer. In conditions where for a few reasons, immediate recording isn’t always feasible, he is likely to find out that by the time he sits right down to write his observations; his memory does not as it has to be fed in the relevant info.
To check the accuracy and completeness of the file, the observer needs to, if viable, compare it with a film made by a tape recording system. Of direction, this isn’t typically possible; besides, tape recording captures only the auditory stimuli within the situation.
The subsequent incredible answer is to have extra human beings check the identical event. They can later evaluate their notes and take a look at bias. This is a remarkable manner to find out one’s blind spots. Two observations may be qualitatively exclusive; in opposition to this, observers from fantastic backgrounds may be employed to look at the identical situation. This is understandably a restricted treatment.
It takes place quite often that the observer injects an overdose of interpretation into his facts. This also can adversely affect the validity and reliability of his conclusions. One way out of this is to have observers document the identical vent with the use of the same device. A subsequent assessment, of their information, may match a few manners in detecting the intrusion of interpretation.
The participant observer, by using the use of the distinct features of his regular position, faces formidable problems in preserving baselessness. Such an observer can also get involved emotionally with a number of the human beings he’s reading. This impacts his objectivity.
To benefit get entry into intimate statistics, the observer may additionally allow himself to be absorbed into the specific situation he’s analyzing. But this very issue may moreover make him accept uncritically the behaviour that he needs to be in search of to explain. This hassle can be met specifically by using the observer turning into aware of his proneness or tendency to take topics as a right. An outsider serving as a test may also deliver home to the observer his blind spot.
It is also viable to find out blind spots by using a manner of breaking aside or dissecting the perceptual challenge so the elements that lead it to be seen in a particular way lose plenty of their force. In special words, by analytically drawing near the scenario the observer can be able to lessen the distorting effect on certain factors which can probably cause bias.
The herbal way of seeing the state of affairs is to see the action as one concentrated across the essential actors. But a not easily seen character, apparently very insignificant inside the state of affairs, or from time to time even a vain person, maybe the actual middle of the state of affairs (e.g., in ceremonies dealing with the propitiation of the soul of a useless man or woman).
A powerful screw to govern accuracy in remarks and interpretations is for the investigator to set up a form of courting with the subjects which makes it viable for him to take them into his self-notion approximately the research.
A participant observer’s state of affairs is probable to create internal conflicts inside the investigator. This, in flip, may intervene with objectivity. Should the organization be determined to a gift process an emergency of a few types, there’s certainly sturdy stress on the observer to emerge as an energetic participant.
He may additionally need to abandon at least briefly, his indifferent position as an observer. But if he does enter into the middle of the activities of the organization, he risks the threat of dropping his identification as a scientist. Thus, the participant observer is in a trap 22 state of affairs; ensuing in both manners, in the lack of objectivity.
Rosenfeld indicates that bias arising from inner conflicts can be minimized if one is aware of the conflicts and the nature of one’s defence.
The final issue pertains to the relationship between the observer and the determined. In vicinity commentary defective methods vis-a-vis the topics also can have dire effects on the inquiry. Since the approach is carried out within the real life-sphere of the men and women, the observer’s errors can’t stay insulated incidents.
The observer needs to determine earlier than he strategies the potential topics, whether or now not to show the records that he’s a researcher or to go into the state of affairs beneath a few other guises. There are advantages as additionally dangers in every strategy.
It may additionally moreover for sure reasons appear maximum perfect to make recognized to the subjects his actual position due to the fact the researcher. This approach is mainly easy as compared to disguised assertions. Secondly, it’ll boom extensively one’s opportunity to get records which he ought to get most effective very in a roundabout way were he to technique them in a cowl.
Thirdly, the open declaration technique does not hold the possibility that his hobby will harm any of the human beings in the situation while the disguised observer ought to hold in mind this opportunity seriously.
The obvious drawback of a direct technique is that this can make the topics conscious and satisfactory to the detriment of the naturalness of behaviour the observer desires to have a look at. The researcher consequently has to weigh carefully the relative earnings and losses of those methods in advance than the use of another.
Sometimes, there may be no opportunity to disguise remarks. M. Sherif and C. Sherif have cited that the crowd sports of the boys in a summer season camp ought to handiest be found with the aid of using the researcher inside the guise of a labourer on the campgrounds.
Similarly, in the study of the socio-mental effects of lengthy-time period unemployment in an Austrian Village (Jahoda, Lazarsfeld and Zeisl), disguised observation (studies of employees supplying themselves as individuals of voluntary welfare business enterprise) changed into use with benefit.
Entrance right into a community requires very careful staging. If there are various extra than two facets to be approached concurrently, the problem will become extra hard. The observer ought to be prepared to offer a convincing motive for his presence in the network.
It can also on occasion be truly beneficial to let influential parents in the network deal with the motive of the investigator’s paintings. The observer then should decide upon the diploma of his participation inside the community, beginning from the bare minimum of answering whilst addressed, to conducting a few vital interests regarding the community lifestyles.
Structured Observation
Structured observation is composed of a cautious definition of classes beneath which the data is to be recorded, standardization of situations of commentary, and is used in the primary research designed to offer systematic description or to test the causal hypothesis.
The use of the dependent observational approach presupposes that the investigator is privy to what factors of the situation beneath check apply to his studies functions and is in a function consequently to increase a selected plan for making and recording observations before he certainly begins the gathering of records. The structured remark may be hired in the natural location-putting or a laboratory placing.
Structured declaration, into data as it’s miles used mainly in studies starting with instead precise components, usually lets in for a whole lot less freedom of desire with admire to the content of declaration than is permitted in an unstructured remark. Since the state of affairs and the trouble are already specific, the observer is capable of setting up earlier the types in phrases of which he’s going to examine the situation.
The instructions are defined to provide reliable records for the questions to be requested. Of route, this sort of definition of lessons is the end-made from the researcher’s efforts at seeking to solve unique coding issues.
To start with, the researcher can be confronted with a big number of classes. The researcher must come to a choice upon an appropriate body of reference for categorization and train observers consequently.
- E. Bales has advanced a procedural device of instructions for recording organization interaction. He has proposed 12 stylish behavioural training applicable to a giant variety of organization conditions. The behaviour of any organization member is coded in phrases of the careful definition of each class.
The trouble of recording observations in the course of a primarily based statement. The maximum commonly used machine for recording is one that gives the observer many duplicate sheets containing the list of training to be coded.
Mechanical recording gadgets had been utilized in a few research. For example, Chapple devised a worldwide chronograph. Helen has advanced an audio-introspect meter. All the gadgets are intended to facilitate the recording of observational statistics consistent with a specific precept of categorization.
Sound recordings and motion pictures have been used whilst it is important to explain the general nature of an occasion or to code certain motions of a member in phrases of a body of reference furnished via using the entire occasion. Of direction, every of those has apparent limitations.
Although such gadgets as motion photographs, tape-recording and television can be very useful in affording a standard view of a social event, their use no longer thru itself remedy the problem of collecting information for systematic functions.
Relevant classes for recording behaviour ought to be mounted, time gadgets decided upon, and strategies set up for recording as to who initiated a motion and who has become the goal. In sum, if the data are to be beneficial for studies, they must be recorded in terms of the form of a formal scheme.
This problem is correctly tackled by ensuring some type of standardization in the observational device. There are, but, a few precise problems in undertaking dependable and legitimate observations.
These are as follows
(1) One hassle derives from the inadequate definition of the kinds of behaviour which might be to be frequent as much like a given concept. For instance, if the concept of adjustment changed into not operationally described, extremely good observers can be willing to treat outstanding types of behaviour as empirical referents of the idea.
(2) Another component that could lower the reliability of even a properly-educated and expert observer is the degree of self assure one must have in an unmarried’s judgement before marking a given magnificence. For instance, observers might also moreover assign the same observational gadgets to first-rate instructions because they will themselves display amazing tendencies to perceive proof of a selected behaviour.
(3) The steady errors brought by way of manner of the observer because of the distortion of his perceptions (for various reasons) is one of the fundamental assets of unreliability.
(4) A load of tough paintings can also bog down reliability. The result of overloading is frequently that the observer can’t file all applicable statistics and might unwittingly report a few elements instead inadequately, because of this, introducing bias.
As turned into recommended earlier, reliability may be advanced by way of cautious schooling of observers. A well-developed observational manner can be damaged thru versions amongst particular observers or thru failure to apprehend the rules for its use. It is vital, therefore, that a notable term be committed to educating the observers.
Such education consists of numerous tiers:
(i) Explanation of functions and ideas inside the looked at,
(ii) Explanation of instructions and the pointers for their use,
(iii) Purpose of each class for a theoretic scheme, and
(iv) Practice via the use of observer-trainees, talk on concrete problems and reliability-check of observers.
It needs to be remembered that all this will now not normally put off the everyday bias shared via extra observers. In any such case, the unfairness may be minimized through the same activities.
Lastly, we need to remember the relationship of the observer with the decision. The observer must carefully put together his access into the scenario and make certain that every individual in the organization is willing to in reality receive him. Since commonly the observer is conspicuously engaged in recording behaviour, using timing tools and unique technical aids, it’s miles slightly possible to cowl the fact that he’s doing studies.
Hence, it’s miles all the greater critical that he obtains the organization’s entire settlement to the inquiry.
The get entry of an observer into the group, but unobtrusive, may additionally furthermore introduce a new variable into the state of affairs and this can exchange the behaviour being decided. For instance, in a youngsters’ organization, the presence of a personal observer also can have a great distorting effect.
A few perceptions must be given to processes wherein the observer’s presence might also moreover affect the very last consequences of research and to increase the techniques that might reduce this possibility. On the whole, people seem to get used to observers if the behaviour of the observer convinces the topics that he approaches no ill.
The player and the non-participant types of declaration. This conceptual typology become brought to social sciences with the aid of manner of Prof. Edward Lindeman. Lindeman emerge as a very vital of research primarily based simply upon schedules of questions for which the investigator determined solutions with the aid of the usage of making inquiries of humans.
Lindeman considered it as absurd and try to avoid bias thru way of posing questions requiring a simple ‘certain’ or ‘no’ reply in a have a take a look at dealing now not fine with the ‘what’ of lifestyles but also with the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of lifestyles. Lindeman became of the opinion that if one wanted to apprehend what the venture become doing one need to watch him and now not ask him.
Nels Anderson emerges as an intimate player in the lifestyles of ‘Hobos’, on the street, in accommodations homes and in their several sports. The amazing insight that Anderson advanced via such a workout is amply evidenced in his examination entitled ‘The Hobo.’
Participant statement has a reference to the observer sharing to a greater or lesser diploma the life of the employer he is looking at. This sharing can be intermittent however lively contacts at proximity do provide you with the cash for an intimate have a examine of people.
W.F. Whyte in the course of his look at posted as ‘The Street Corner Society’ has emerged in detail related to the several components of the activities of individuals in Cornerville. Paul Cressey in his check entitled ‘Taxi Dance Hall’ employed the approach of participant remark and his investigators have become a part of the social worldwide of the Taxi Dance Hall to the extent it changed into possible.
The non-player remark, in contradistinction, is characterised by the aid of a relative loss of participation by using the use of the observer in the life of the organization that he is staring at. In sum, to cite John Madge, “When the coronary coronary heart of the observer is made to conquer as the coronary heart of each different member of the group beneath declaration, in preference to as that of indifferent emissary from a few a long way off the laboratory, then he has earned the pick out of player observer.”
In other phrases, the participant observation is an try and placed every observer located at the same aspect with the useful resource of making the observer a member of the corporation so that he can enjoy what they enjoy and artwork inner their frame of reference.
On the opposite, the non-player declaration consists of the espousal with the useful resource of way of the observer of a detached position of the observer and recorder without any try on his component to experience via participation that which the placed revel in.
Merits of Observation
In the player commentary, the investigator becomes a member of the community being located by the manner of using him. The investigator does want not to carry out identical sports activities because of the truth of the subjects, suffice it if he reveals a function within the organisation which does no longer disturb the same antique styles of behaviour. Thus, one of the blessings of player remark is that for the motive that people of the network are blind to the researcher’s cause their behaviour is least probable to be affected. Thus, the researcher is enabled to record the “herbal” behaviour of the organization.
Secondly, because the researcher virtually participates within the enterprise under declaration, he generally has a get right of access to a frame of facts that couldn’t without issues be obtained with the aid of using in reality looking on in a disinterested style.
For this reason obtains a remarkable depth of enjoyment, at the same time as he can document the actual behaviour of different people. Since his duration of participation can also maintain for months, the type of materials accumulated is probable to be lots wider than the ones received from a chain of pretty prolonged interview- schedules.
Thirdly, in participant announcement, the researcher can document the context which gives because of this to expressions of opinion surpassing in richness and depth the identical antique questionnaire. He can also test the truth of statements made thru participants of the enterprise.
Some occurrences aren’t often, if ever, available to direct statements. Sexual behaviour, family crisis and underworld sports, etc., are examples of activities that aren’t amenable to direct announcements with the beneficial useful resource of an intruder. It is right here that the participant statement allows.
Limitations of Observation
Participant remark has excellent horrible factors, one being that the investigator who in reality turns into a participant happens to slender his form of enjoyment. He takes on a particular feature internal a group with a selected clique or friendship circle. He learns and follows a pattern of hobbies which is a feature of its people.
Hence, many avenues come to be closed to him. Further, the location he entails occupying inside the employer may be critical so that he may be instrumental in effecting changes within the institution- behaviour.
The function of the participant-observer is mainly precarious concerning retaining objectivity. The involvement within the situation can also reduce the sharpness of the statement not brilliant due to the fact the investigator identifies himself together with his informants but additionally, due to the truth, he turns into so used to advantageous kinds of behaviour.
In sure situations, the bodily and emotional staying strength similar to the persistence of the researcher may be positioned to an acid test. Even the statement of ordinary everyday occurrences can also turn out to be tough because of the possibility that unforeseeable elements may likely intrude with the observational project.
To the quantity that he participates emotionally, the observer includes losing objectivity which in clinical parlance is his unmarried fantastic asset. He might also react in anger at the same time as he needs to be recording. He may additionally be in search of popularity or ego pride within the group as opposed to looking at this behaviour in others.
His heart can be moved by the useful resource of tragedy but he may overlook to file its impact on his fellow people. In effect, he can also moreover fail to phrase those crucial statistics which can also furthermore seem to him so commonplace as no longer to benefit any interest.
It is plain that during every, participant and non-player kind of statement, the trouble of statement-manage isn’t always solved. To the diploma that the investigator turns into a player his revel in turns into precise, especially his very private. Thus, every other researcher won’t be able to file equal records. There is finally a terrific deal less standardization of records quick, his position of the observer is handicapped surely via his being a participant.
The non-participant remark does answer a number of these objections. But a merely non-participant observation is tough. We have a preferred set of relationships or function styles for the ‘non-member’ who ought to be ever gifted but in no way participating.
Both the difficulty-institution and the outsider are likely to feel uncomfortable. And, evidently, for plenty of research conditions, it is nearly impossible for the outsider to be a proper player in all methods.
The sociologist cannot, as an example, grow to be a criminal so one can look at a criminal gang. Sometimes, it’s miles possible to take part in excellent many sports of the organization, simply to keep away from the awkwardness of complete non-participation while taking the role of an observer for different activities.
This strategy changed into hired with the aid of Leplay a century ago in his study of European working elegance households. In certain studies, the investigators have participated as individuals of the circle of relatives taking elements in games and dances. They even made clear that their reason, above something else, became to acquire records.
Principal Difficulties in Observations
It is important to apprehend pertinently the limitations of an impartial statement. The first social scientist to list and discuss these intrinsic difficulties became Herbert Spencer. Spencer mentioned that many social phenomena, not like the bulk of herbal phenomena, aren’t directly perceptible, but regularly ought to be established via setting together many details which can be certainly dispersed in area and time.
Spencer subsequently commented on the barriers to correcting remarks and the interference which results from the emotional engagement of the social investigator in the subject of his observation of unique significance, in this context, is the reality of the interrelatedness of the observer to the state of affairs being determined.
We must not forget the three fundamental causes of distorted commentary. These are:
- Those due to the inadequacies of our feel-organs;
- Those because of the interdependence of observation and inference; and
- Those common to the social sciences, i.e., the ones due to the impossibility of looking at humans without influencing their actions and being inspired by them.
Inadequacies of Our Sense Organs
Traditionally we generally tend to regard our feel organs as reliable, although perhaps no longer as effective as we would love them to be. But in truth, our sense organs operate in a noticeably variable, erratic and selective manner.
Psychologists have carried out experiments that have proven that what a guy perceives on a specific occasion relies significantly on his country of thoughts and body at the time. There is a wealth of evidence to show that it is very well risky to depend on the regular remark.
Observation and Inference
Observation and inference are inseparable. Anything that impinges on our senses has a which means for us largely to the quantity we relate it to what we already recognise. Without anybody to begin with, new stories are isolated, unidentifiable, and meaningless.
The studies employee without a body of reference sees plenty but identifies little. The researcher with too inflexible a frame of reference sees only such things as confirming his preconceptions. Thus, we’ve faced the very awkward and severe trouble that our senses are not, even below the maximum favourable situations, the approach for imparting us with ‘objective knowledge’ approximately what we got down to take a look at.
There are various viable approaches to coming to grips with this trouble. One manner is to disregard it. Even if our observations are not a very goal, they’re, it can be argued, at least able to show to our non-public delight that what we see is true.
There is the hazard that non-controlled commentary is in all likelihood to provide us with the feeling that we recognize greater than we truly do, approximately what we have seen. The statistics are so actual and vivid, therefore our feelings approximately them so robust that we sometimes tend to mistake the electricity of our feelings for the intensity of comprehension.
Observer and Observed
We must pay a little attention to another essential problem in social technology, viz., the face of the remark itself modifying the state of affairs being determined, so long as social technology research is based on documentary facts, there is no purpose to worry that distortions will arise from this source. But social science research includes human observers and interactive human subjects.
Observer-Caused Effects
The researcher’s efforts to observe a phenomenon constantly impact the phenomenon and is most all likelihood to exchange it. The observer is perpetually a part of the equal surroundings as is the phenomenon he is analyzing. Therefore, the observer like several other factors of the surroundings cannot, however, influence the phenomenon, simplest, from time to time the impact may be light that it could be overlooked.
This is normally the case with the herbal sciences except perhaps in chemistry in which the chemist’s breath is in all likelihood to affect the response he is jogging. The observer impact in clinical examination straddles the bodily and social sciences; for example, when a physician takes an affected person’s blood pressure, fear or exhilaration may force blood pressure a ways above the actual degree.
The humanness of the observer and his inevitable interplay with the determined are certain to create distorting results to which we have to pay some attention.
The critical problem in social sciences is that the lifestyles of the observer itself modify the situation being determined.
So lengthy as social technological know-how research is based on documentary information, there is no cause to fear that distortions will rise from this source. But social science studies involve human observers and interactive human topics.
One manner of bearing in mind observer interference while it can not be averted is to vary the amounts and styles of observer participation when all else is held regularly; for instance, in a manufacturing facility being found for the structure of human members of the family, the observers can also range the amount of time they spend with the employees and the diploma of friendship and hostility toward the workers at some stage in the time they interact with the people.
If such versions on the part of the observers produce no differences then it would be secure to finish that observer isn’t always an important supply of versions. As a delivered manager it could be possible to deliver the observer into the state of affairs in which nothing else is modified from normal after which measure whether or not or no longer his presence alone could purpose any variations.
Prof. Wirth once stated, “A society is possible in the last evaluation because the individuals in it bring a round of their heads some type of photograph of that society. If the contributors regard the modified scenario as an atypical one which does no longer suit their conception of the world, their self-recognition might be aroused, their behaviour may be disturbed and the scenario will now not adapt itself in a way enabling the investigator to predict a similar model in herbal instances. The presence of an observer, even merely as one extra person inside the interacting situation, will cause distortion.”
Benefits and Drawbacks Data Collection Method Known as “Observation”
The benefits of observation
(1)Easiest Form
Observation is likely the most common and practical method of data collection. It doesn’t take a tonne of technical expertise. Medical-managed commentary requires some technological expertise from the researcher, but it is still simpler than other approaches. Everyone in this world keeps a close eye on a variety of aspects of their daily lives. An individual can become flawless by studying his environment with little education.
(2) Helpful for Hypothesis Framing:
Observation is one of the principal bases for formulating a hypothesis. By observing a phenomenon continuously, the researcher may also get properly familiar with the foundation. He got here to understand approximately their conduct, likes, dislikes, problems, beliefs, exclusive sports and so many different matters. All of these assist him a lot to form speculation about them. Any researcher, consequently, has to be a very good observer.
(3) Greater Accuracy:
In other methods like an interview, questionnaires and so forth., the researcher has to rely upon facts provided by way of the respondents. So these are indirect strategies and right here the investigator does now not have any means to study the accuracy of the facts supplied by way of them. But in the statement, the observer can at once check the accuracy of the discovery. He can practice diverse gadgets to test the reliability of their behaviour. So very often the records accumulated thru statement is more dependable than those accrued thru interview or questionnaire.
(4) An Universal Method:
Observation is a common method utilized in all sciences, whether bodily or social. So it has more universality of exercise. As a not unusual method, it’s miles very effortlessly followed and widespread.
(5) Observation is the Only Appropriate Tool in Certain Cases:
Observation can deal with phenomena like infants or animals who are unable to verbally describe their actions, feelings, or behaviours because they are unable to talk. For the study on infants, who are unable to understand the researcher’s questions or express themselves honestly, observation is essential. For animals, speaking out is the only option. Commentary may be the most appropriate tool for those who are deaf, stupid, very abnormal, or insane, are unwilling to cooperate with others, are overly bashful, or do not grasp the language of researchers.
(6) Independent of Journalists’ Willingness:
It is not necessary for the observation that the subjects be open to providing a range of information about them. Many times, some individuals are reluctant to open up to an intrusive person about themselves. Some people no longer have the time or skills necessary to give the researcher the necessary statistics. Even while observation can’t always overcome these problems, it nevertheless requires less active cooperation and willingness from the respondents. Without the knowledge of the subjects, observation is never viable.
Limitations of Observation
(1)It is possible that some occurrences cannot be observed:
Many private behaviours or covert sports are off-limits to commentary. For instance, no couple will consent to the researcher observing their sexual interactions. Most of the time, people no longer permit others to observe their sports.
(2) Not all events that are open to observation can be seen while an observer is nearby:
These issues result from the unpredictability of the situation. Social interactions frequently include a great deal of uncertainty. Finding their time and location is a difficult challenge for the researcher. The incident can occur without the observer present. On the other hand, it was no longer able to manifest in the constant presence of the watcher. For instance, there is no guarantee that two people or groups would argue or fight. Nobody is aware of the exact date of the event.
(3) Not All Occurrences Suit Observational Research:
Social phenomena are typically conceptual. For instance, our senses cannot perceive and observational methods cannot assess the love, affection, and emotion that parents feel for their children. The researcher may employ additional methods, such as case studies, interviews, etc., to investigate these occurrences.
(4) Lack of Reliability
Because social phenomena cannot be controlled or used in laboratory research, generalisations made using the observation approach are not very reliable. The relative nature of social processes and the observer’s personal bias make it challenging to draw reliable conclusions from observation. P.V. Young claims that no effort is made to employ exact instruments during observation to confirm the veracity of the phenomenon.
(5)False Information
Observation requires a lot of technical skills. One can never be certain that what they are seeing is what they think they are seeing. The same phenomenon could be viewed differently by two people. A scenario could offer something significant and helpful to one individual while offering nothing to another. Only observers who possess the necessary technical expertise can make scientific observations.
(6) The Observer’s Personal Bias:
Making accurate generalisations is frequently hampered by personal prejudice, point of view, or ways of looking at the world. The spectator may have his or her moral standards or distinct preconceptions about an incident, which renders the sociological research objective.
(7) Sluggish Research
The act of observation takes time. P.V. Young is correct when he says that valid observations cannot be hastened and that observation alone cannot allow us to quickly complete our inquiry. It can occasionally make both the observer and the observed less interested in continuing their observation procedure.
(8) Pricey
Observation is an expensive endeavour. It costs a lot, takes a lot of time, and demands a lot of work. Travelling, lodging at the location of the phenomenon, and purchasing expensive equipment are all necessary for observation. It is regarded as one of the most expensive ways of data collection as a result.
(9) Ineffective Method
P.V. Young asserts that observation alone is insufficient for gathering all the information. As a result, several people recommended that observation needs to be supported by additional techniques.
(10) Difficulty in Validity Checking
It is seldom easy to verify an observation’s authenticity. Many observational phenomena are difficult to define precisely enough to allow for the creation of useful generalisations. The validity and reliability of the observation may be hampered by the observer’s incompetence.