Collecting primary data through observation

Lecture 11

Prof. development and research

Lecturer R. Milyankova

By the end of this lecture you should: Understand the role that observations may

play as a data collection method in your research design

Identify two types of observations – participant’s and structured observations and their different origin and applications

Adopt two particular approaches of data collection

What is observation?

Observation involves: Systematic observation Recording Description Analysis and Interpretation of people’s behaviour

Types of observation: Participant observation – discovers the

meaning that people attach to their actions (more qualitative). Has its roots in social anthropology – the individual derives a sense of identity from interaction and communication with others (symbolic interactionism)

Types of observation:

Structured observation – more concerned with the frequency of this action (more quantitative). It is systematic and has a high level of predetermined structure. Uses self-completion diaries

Advantages of structured observation

It can be used by anyone after some training – so it can be delegated

The results are reliable Not only observes the frequency of events, but also

records the relationship between them No personal interpretation on events by observers,

everything is recorded the moment it happens Structured observation secures information that

otherwise would be ignored as insignificant

Disadvantages of structured observation

Observer must be present when phenomena happen

Research results are limited to overt action Data is slow and expensive to collect