OBSERVATION

OBSERVATION

Observation is a method that employs vision as its main means of data collection. It implies the use of eyes rather than ears and voice. It is accurate to watch and note phenomena as they occur with regard to cause and effect or mutual relations. It is watching other persons’ behaviour as it happens without control.

Definition of Observation

1. According to Lindzey Gardner has defined it as “selection, provocation, recording and encoding of that set of behaviours and settings concerning organism ‘in situ’ (naturalistic setting or familiar surroundings) which are consistent with empirical aims.”

2. According to Moses and Kalton are of the opinion that, “observation implies the use of the eyes rather than of the ears and the voice.”

3. According to Goode and Hatt say, “science begins with observation and must ultimately return to observation for its final validation.”

4. According to P.V. Young, observation may be defined as “systematic viewing, coupled with consideration of the seen phenomena.”

ADVANTAGES/MERITS OF OBSERVATION:

1. Simplest Method: Observation is probably the most common and simplest method of data collection. It does not require much technical knowledge. Although scientific controlled observation requires some technical skill of the researcher, it is still easier than other methods. Everybody in this world observes many things in their daily lives. A little training can make a person perfect at observing his surroundings.

2. Useful for Framing Hypothesis: Observation is one of the main bases for formulating a hypothesis. By continuously observing a phenomenon, the researcher may get acquainted with the observed. He learned about their habits, likes, dislikes, problems, perceptions, different activities, and so many other things. All these help him a lot in forming a hypothesis. Any researcher, therefore, has to be a good observer.

3. Greater Accuracy: In other approaches, like interviews, questionnaires, etc., the researcher relies on respondent information. These procedures are indirect, so the investigator cannot verify their data. However, the observer can directly check the accuracy of the observed. He can test their behaviour with numerous gadgets. Observation data is usually more accurate than interview or questionnaire data.

4. A Universal Method: Observation is a common method used in all physical or social sciences. Thus, it is more universally practiced, easily followed, and accepted.

5. Observation is the Only Appropriate Tool for Certain Cases: Infants and animals who cannot speak can be observed. Studies on infants who cannot understand or communicate require observation. Animal observation is the only solution. Observation is the only instrument for deaf and dumb people, significant abnormalities or mad people, non-cooperative people, shy people, and people who don’t speak the researcher’s language.

6. Independent of People’s Willingness to Report: Observing someone doesn’t require their consent. Respondents sometimes don’t like talking about themselves to outsiders. Some folks don’t have the time or skills to give researchers crucial information. Although observation cannot always avoid such difficulties, it requires less active cooperation and willingness from respondents. Observation is always possible.

DISADVANTAGES/DEMERITS OF OBSERVATION:

1. Some Occurrences may not be Open to Observation: Many personal behaviours or secret activities are not open to observation. For example, no couple will allow the researcher to observe their sexual activities. In most cases, people do not allow the outsider to study their activities.

2. Not all Occurrences Open to Observation can be Observed when the Observer is at Hand: Many social events are unpredictable. Researching their period and place is tough. Event may occur without observer. However, the observer may not be present. For instance, fighting between two parties is never guaranteed. Its timing is unknown.

3. Not all Occurrences Lend Themselves to Observational Study: Most social phenomena are abstract in nature. For example, the love, affection, feelings, and emotions of parents towards their children are not open to our senses and cannot be quantified by observational techniques. The researcher may employ other methods, such as case studies, interviews, etc., to study such phenomena.

4. Lack of Reliability: Observational generalizations are unreliable because social phenomena cannot be controlled or tested in labs. P. V. Young notes that observation does not employ precision instruments to verify the phenomenon.

5. Faulty Perception: Observation requires technological expertise. One never knows if what one sees is what one sees. Different people may evaluate the same event. A scenario may be meaningful to one individual but useless to another. Scientific observations require technological expertise.

6. Personal Bias of the Observer: Personal bias, personal view, or looking at things in a particular way often creates obstacles to making valid generalizations. The observer may have his own ideas of right and wrong or different preconceptions regarding an event, which kills objectivity in social research.

7. Slow Investigation: Observation is a time-consuming process. P. V. Young rightly remarks that valid observation cannot be hurried; we cannot complete our investigation in a short period through observation. It sometimes reduces the interest of both the observer and the observee in continuing their observation process.

8. Expensive: Observation is a costly affair. It requires high cost, plenty of time, and hard effort. Observation involves travelling, staying at the place of the phenomenon, and purchasing sophisticated equipment. Because of this, it is called one of the most expensive methods of data collection.

9. Inadequate Method: According to P.V. Young, “the full answers cannot be collected by observation alone.” Therefore, many suggested that observation must also be supplemented by other methods.

10. Difficulty in Checking Validity: Checking the validity of observation is always difficult. Many phenomena of observation cannot be defined with sufficient precision, which does not help in drawing a valid generalization. The lack of competence of the observer may hamper the validity and reliability of the observation.

Observation is a fundamental method of data collection that relies on visual perception and accurate recording of phenomena as they occur. Considering both the advantages and disadvantages, observation remains a valuable tool in research, providing valuable insights and empirical data.