Exam 8: Data Collection Methods: Observation

Observation is often used as a technique to collect data that complement data obtained by other techniques such as interviews.

Deviants are persons who take upon themselves to check out the new person and what it is this person is after.

Categories in a coding scheme should be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive.

Observational methods are best suited for research requiring non-self-report descriptive data; that is when behavior is to be examined without directly asking the respondents themselves.

The most important method of capturing data in participant observation is writing field notes.

Active participation occurs when the researcher does not actively participate,and only occasionally interacts with the social group under study.

Unstructured observation can be used to generate numerical data to test hypotheses.

A practical problem of observation is that it is time-consuming.

Reactivity refers to the extent to which the observer affects the situation under observation.

Pure observation has been described as 'going native'; the researcher becomes so involved with the group under study that eventually every objectivity and research interest is lost

A major drawback of uncontrolled observation is however that it is usually difficult to untangle the often complex situation since we do not control any factor in this.

This is an example of a sequence record.

Generally speaking,the most important factor in determining what to observe is the aim or purpose of the study.

An observational study is said to be low in control when the situation or setting is manipulated or contrived by the researcher.

Typical examples of passive participation are observations conducted in service consumption settings,such as in a lecture room,a theatre,a waiting room,or a theme park.

Structured observation is generally quantitative in nature.