Observation As A Tool For Collecting Data: June 2023
Observation As A Tool For Collecting Data: June 2023
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
ISSN: 2277-7881; IMPACT FACTOR – 6.014; IC VALUE:5.16; ISI VALUE:2.286
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 5(1), MAY 2019
Smritirekha
Ph.D Research Scholar
Regional Institute of Education (NCERT)
Bhubaneswar
Abstract
A researcher is required to collect information or evidences from the
sources for meeting objectives of his research study. He therefore uses a variety
of tools and techniques to collect information and data necessary for his research
study. Observation, as one of these tools and techniques help a researcher to
collect lively and rich information from the sources available by utilizing his
senses of observation. In the task of observation, the researcher adopts variety of
observational techniques and tools for performing his observational task in a
number of ways or for making his observation a natural or controlled according
to the requirement of his research study. The present article will help to discuss
few questions. What is observation technique? How can it be employed in
collecting data for research study? What are the types of observation? What are
the qualities of a good observer? How to proof reliability and validity of the
observed data? What are the merits and demerits of observation as a tool?
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ISSN: 2277-7881; IMPACT FACTOR – 6.014; IC VALUE:5.16; ISI VALUE:2.286
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 5(1), MAY 2019
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ISSN: 2277-7881; IMPACT FACTOR – 6.014; IC VALUE:5.16; ISI VALUE:2.286
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 5(1), MAY 2019
2. TYPES OF OBSERVATION
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ISSN: 2277-7881; IMPACT FACTOR – 6.014; IC VALUE:5.16; ISI VALUE:2.286
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 5(1), MAY 2019
them. He/she does this for gaining their confidence and observe the
things he/she needs for his/her study. In the process, he/she may face lots
of difficulties like on the one hand, the researcher is required to hide
his/her identity and on the other hand he/she has to continue observing
the subjects and recording what is being observed from time to time.
He/she may get suspected by the subjects of the study and may become
the victim of their anger and antagonism and it may lead to failure of
his/her mission.
b) Complete non-participant observation: Here, the researcher or
investigator doesn't act as a participant rather he/she just act as an
observer but he/she may either act covertly or overtly depending on the
requirements of the study. The researcher may act covertly implies that
he/she may place himself/herself in such a position that the observation
of the activities of the subjects can be done in the natural set up without
letting them know that they are under observation through audio-video
recording, satellite surveillance etc.
In the overt form, the researcher acts as an observer by making his/her
intension absolutely clear to the subjects under study.
c) Semi participant observation: This type of observation lies between the
complete participant and complete non-participant observation as the
researcher here tries to get involved with the subjects under study, takes
part in their activities and ways of behaving and living with full
awareness of the subjects that they are under observation and the
researcher is not one of them. So, neither the subjects nor the investigator
remain in dark about each other's presence and intension.
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they don't know the difference between the actions to be carried out during
observation and looking.
Pay attention to detail. A good observer should start noticing the details of
things he passes through. Paying attention to things that might seem insignificant
make him conscious of his surroundings. This can make him a better observer.
The more he purposefully notices the things, the quicker it will become a habit.
Noticing minute details is essential for an observer.
Slow down. To be a good observer, he must slow down rushing through his day
leaves no time to observe the world around him. He should not be in hurry while
observing because he may miss the things which are of great importance.
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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 5(1), MAY 2019
observation. Since brain filter a lot of that unnecessary information out that's why
the observer should make a conscious effort to start committing simple details to
memory which will help him improving his memory while making him a better
observer.
Eliminate distractions. One reason that observers are not as observant as they
should be is because they get distracted due to a lot of reasons like crowd, cell
phones etc.
Keep a field journal. Observation is a very scientific approach to the world. By
keeping a field journal, you are recording your observations. This can be about
anything; the important thing is to observe everything around you and strengthen
your observation skills.
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ii. Similarly, the researcher may intentionally not record all what is being
observed or he may not try to remember many of the aspects of the things
being observed by him intentionally or unintentionally.
iii. Most of the times a researcher maintains partial and revengeful attitude
towards the subjects of observation which may colour and distort the results
of observation. Therefore, the favourable and dear ones are always assessed
and estimated on quite higher notes and the unfavourable and disliked ones
are looked down upon one point or the other.
iv. The researcher/observer always expects a certain type of behaviour or
occurrence of a certain type of events from the subjects or phenomena
observed irrespective of the fact that they actually demonstrate it or not.
Expectations may pose a great hurdle in the internal reliability and validity of
the observational findings.
4) It is impossible for the researcher/observer to know what is going on in the
minds of the subjects because he is supposed to observe it through external
signs of behaviour. There is every chance that the subject may play hide and
seek and use his all expertise to hide his feelings, emotions and real inner
personality. Therefore, overdependence upon the external signs of behaviour
may make data or information through observation technique a failure in the
investigation of the true nature of the individual concerned.
5) The behaviour of the subject observed is depended on the particular time,
place and on the particular individual or group of individuals involved. It
may lack repeatability as each natural situation can occur only once and it
may become one of the serious limitations of the observation techniques.
6) One of the serious limitations of the observation technique is its inability to
establish a proper cause and effect relationship. In case we observe two
phenomena, we cannot infer which the cause is and which the effect is.
7) Through observation technique the researcher can only take into account the
observation of the external or observable behaviour of the subject. The
internal aspect of one’s behaviour or inner mechanism of one’s personality
remains untouched and totally un-explored through the use of observation
technique. As a result of which observation technique fails to investigate
one’s total behaviour and aspects of personality.
8) Even after giving due attention and concentration for the observation of a
thing, event or phenomenon, it becomes a difficult task for the
researcher/observer to draw a single appropriate inference for the observed
behaviour or phenomenon. It is difficult to interpret from a huge collection of
data.
9) The other limitation of observation technique is that it is difficult to observe
many things occurring at the same time in the behaviour of the subject or the
events occurring in the observed environment. All the attention,
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concentration and energy are then directed to gain information about the
ongoing observed behaviour or events and therefore, the task of simultaneous
recording at this time becomes an extra burden. If one does not record the
observed phenomena side by side, one is to miss a few important things or
links afterwards which may affect the process of proper observation.
10) The researcher or observer is required to go to the field of observation for
observing the behaviour or events of observation. It is a time taking process.
It may take a long time to carry on observation of the behaviour of concerned
subjects or phenomenon for collecting the needed research data. This may
need a lot of time, money and efforts.
7. Conclusion
We have discussed both merits and demerits of observation as tool for collecting
data. However, we shouldn’t underestimate the significance and usefulness of
observation as a technique of data collection in a variety of quantitative and
qualitative research studies. But it depends on the sincerity, seriousness, abilities,
determination and skills of the researcher/observer; he can find ways and means
for the collection of necessary data regarding the observed behaviour or
phenomenon. Thus, it is necessary for the researcher to keep himself attentive
about the risk of reactivity and observer biases. He should always try to make
maximum benefit of this technique in meeting the purpose of his study in the
best possible way.
References
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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 5(1), MAY 2019
7. Sukhia, S.P. et al. (1966), Elements of Educational Research (2nd ed.), New
Delhi: Allied Publishers.
8. Taylor, Bill, Gautam Sinha and Taposh Ghosal (2006), Research
Methodology, New Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India.
9. Young, P.V. (1956), Scientific Social Survey and Research (Asian ed.), New
Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India.
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