10.3 Observation
What are the Limitations of the Participant Observation?
Data collection and analysis is very time consuming, so It is a long-term process. Groups are small, so it is difficult to generalize. It is a highly invasive process that can influence people's lives and environment. The researcher may lose objectivity in process; it is difficult to maintain a balance between involvement and detachment. However, reflexivity can increase credibility.
What are the Characteristics of a Natural Observation?
Data is collected by researchera who observe how animals or humans behave; the aim is to collect information in a natural environment (the context) and to provide an account of the interactions in a particular social group. The researcher often spends a long time in the field to become familiar with participant's natural environment. The researcher collects data and writes field notes for analysis. Observations in the field can be complemented with interview data or quantitative data from questionnaires (triangulation).
What are the Limitations of the Naturalistic Observation?
Ethical issues are involved if the naturalistic observation is covert. Analysis of data can be time consuming and costly, especially if the observation is unstructured.
Describe the Idea Behind Non-Participant Observation
It allows researchers to see the situation objectively and through the participant's eyes. Example: observing gambles would be non-participant, while gambling with them would be participant observation. Qualitative data from field observations can be combined with data from interviews or quantitative data (triangulation)
What are the Strengths of the Non-Participant Observation?
It easier to collect data because the researcher does not interact with participants, only observes natural behavior. It is a useful way of observing the behavior of small groups or interactions between individuals. Observational data can be cross-checked with other observers to establish credibility.
What are the Strengths of the Participant Observation?
It generates detailed and in-depth information of a topic that cannot be studied by other means. It is useful in exploring socially sensitive issues because the researcher can take many different aspects of a topic into consideration (holistic approach). It is also a good method to avoid researcher bias because the aim is to understand social processes from the perspective of participants.
Describe the Conditions of a Natural Observation
It usually takes place in the setting in which behavior normally occurs, and focuses on both the context and resulting behavior. It is more likely to yield ecological validity. However, it may also take place in a laboratory setting (controlled observation). However, in qualitative research the researcher is normally not interested in behavior in an artificial situations. Preference is on natural occurring actions in the laboratory, such as the interactions of a mother and child.
Describe the Basic Features of a Participant Observation
Participant observation is sometimes referred to as "ethnography" and is used in psychology, sociology and anthropology when firsthand knowledge about people is needed.
Describe Reflexivity in a Participant Observation
Reflexivity involves always being aware of one's role in the ongoing research; this increases the credibility of the study. It involves examining how their own experiences influences the choice of topics, as well as how the researcher's relationship with participants could influence data collection and interpretation.
Describe Researcher Interaction in a Participant Observation
Researchers participates actively in the participants life. They observe, listen, and produces field notes. They may take on role as co-worker, or volunteer to work in a shelter or on a sports club in order to describe beliefs and experiences of participants.
What are the Main Characteristics of a Participant Observation?
The researcher becomes part of the target group under investigation. The focus of the study is on natural behavior in its natural context, as the researcher enters the field where the research takes place. The researcher acts as instrument of data collection whose aimis to obtain a close and intimate familiarity and empathy with participants through personal involvement with people in their own environment.
What are the strengths of the Naturalistic Observation?
The researcher can observe natural behavior in natural environment. Qualitative researchers prefer it because of its ecological validity. Can be combined with controlled laboratory observations and data from other qualitative methods (triangulation to increase credibility). Observational data can be cross-checked with other observers to establish credibility.
What are the Main Characteristics of a Non-Participant Observation?
The researcher does not take part in participant's life and interactions, but merely observes and records behavior in the setting. It is considered to be an non-obtrusive way of observing, and often takes place in a naturalistic setting to capture natural behavior, Researchers will inform participants about the observation, in general terms, but not precise behaviors observed. This approach eliminates reactivity and demand characteristics.
What Characteristics Must the Researcher Possess in a Participant Observation?
The researcher needs personal and professional skills. The goals are to stay as objective as possible in research process, he or she must be able to initiate and maintain relationships with participants during the research process.
What are the Limitations of the Non-Participant Observation?
There is the risk that the presence of observer influences data (reactivity). Deception may be needed to avoid reactivity. This approach may be artificial, and difficult to know if the behavior is natural. The coding of observational data is difficult, as it is not a structured observation. The analysis can be costly and time-consuming.
List the Different Types of Observational Methods
They are Participant, Non-Participant, Naturalistic, Overt and Covert Observations
