I NTRODUCTION

Definitions:
 Observation is one method for collecting research
data. It involves watching a participant and
recording relevant behaviour for later analysis.
 It is the systematic viewing of people’s actions and
recording, analysing and recording their
behaviour, selectively. It is the powerful tool for
psychological enquiry.
 Informal observation that we learn since
childhood cannot be considered.

Example:
One example of a study using the observational
method would be when a researcher wants to
study how children manage sharing of toys. He
could observe a group of children playing in the
classroom, and record what things they say or do
that determine who gets to play with a coveted
toy.
 FEATURES OF
OBSERVATION
 It is systematic Method:
i) Observation is not haphazard or unplanned.
ii) The length of the observation periods, the
interval between them, the number of
observations, the area or situation of
observation and various techniques used for
observation are carefully planned.
iii) Often there are systematic managements
for controlling the situation if special factors
are to be studied.
iv) For example, study of honest behaviour,
sportsman spirit, leadership qualities etc.
 It is specific:
It is not just looking around for general aspects
of human behaviour. Rather it is directed at
those specific aspects of total situation which
 are assumed to be significant from the stand
point of the purpose of the study. The layman
may frequently overlook what is crucial while
observing an event or phenomenon, but the
scientific observer should look for some definite
things which suit his purpose of study so as to
economies his time, money and effort for
observation.
 It is objective:
Observation should be objective and free from
bias as far as possible. It should generally be
guided by a hypothesis. The observer must
maintain ethical neutrality. He must consider
hypothesis as something to be tested. But at
the same time he must maintain a flexible
attitude, so that he can deviate from his original
plan when such deviation appears inevitable.
 It is quantitative:
Although many important phenomena cannot
be quantified, it becomes almost an imperative
to use some means for quantifying
 observations in order to increase their
precision and to facilitate their analysis. Even
the quality should be converted into quantity,
because qualitative data is subjective and
quantitative one is objective and can further be
interpreted in objective manner.
 Affair of Eyes:
i) P.V. Young remarks that observation is a
systematic and deliberate study through eye.
ii) An observer gathers the data which he has
seen in his own eyes. Collecting information
through eyes is probably the most
trustworthy technique of data collection in
social research.
 Has Definite aims:
Observation must have some definite aims and
objectives. It should be clearly defined before
the beginning of the actual observation
process. Without the proper aims and
objectives observation will be unsystematic
and expensive.
 Verifiable:
i) Observation result can be checked and
verified.
ii) Observation must be verified with usual
criteria of reliability, validity and usability.
iii) It may be possible to check the findings of
the observation by comparing the results of
different observers by repeating the study.
 TYPES OF
OBSERVATIONS
1. Naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic observation is a research method
commonly used by psychologists and other
social scientists.
This technique involves observing involves
studying the spontaneous behaviour of
participants in natural surroundings. The
researcher simply records what they see in
whatever way they can.
Compared with controlled observations it is
like the difference between studying wild
animals in a zoo and studying them in their
natural habitat.
Example: With regard to human subjects
Margaret Mead used this method to research
the way of life of different tribes living on
islands in the south pacific. Kathy sylva used it
to study children at play by observing their
behaviour in a playgroup in Oxfordshire.

2. Controlled Observation
Controlled observations (usually a structured
observation) are likely to be carried out in a
psychology laboratory. The researcher
decides where the observation will take place,
at what time, with which participants, in what
circumstances and uses a standardised
procedure. Participants are randomly
allocated to each independent variable group.
Rather than writing a detailed description of
all behaviour observed, it is often easier to
code behaviour according to a previously
agreed scale using a behaviour schedule (i.e.
conducting a structured observation).
The researcher systematically classifies the
behaviour they observe into distinct
categories. Coding might involve numbers or
letters to describe a characteristics, or use of
a scale to measure behaviour intensity. The
categories on the schedule are coded so that
the data collected can be easily counted and
turned into statistics.
For example, Mary Ainsworth used a
behaviour schedule to study how infants
responded to brief periods of separation from
their mothers. During the Strange Situation
procedure infant's interaction behaviours
directed toward the mother were measured,
e.g.
1. Proximity and contacting seeking
2. Contact maintaining
3. Avoidance of proximity and contact
4. Resistance to contact and comforting
The observer noted down the behaviour
displayed during 15 second intervals and
scored the behaviour for intensity on a scale
of 1 to 7.
3. Participant Observation
Participant observation is a variant of the
above (natural observations) but here the
researcher joins in and becomes part of the
group they are studying to get a deeper
insight into their lives.
If it were research on animals we would now
not only be studying them in their natural
habitat but be living alongside them as well!
This approach was used by Leon Festinger in a
famous study into a religious cult who believed
that the end of the world was about to occur.
He joined the cult and studied how they reacted
when the prophecy did not come true.
Participant observations can be either cover or
overt. Covert is where the study is carried out
'under cover'. The researcher's real identity and
purpose are kept concealed from the group
being studied.
The researcher takes a false identity and role,
usually posing as a genuine member of the
group.
On the other hand, overt is where the
researcher reveals his or her true identity and
purpose to the group and asks permission to
observe.
 ADVANTAGES
 Very direct method for collecting data or
information – best for the study of human
behaviour.
 Data collected is very accurate in nature
and also very reliable.
 Improves precision of the research results.
Problem of depending on respondents is
decreased.
 Helps in understanding the verbal
response more efficiently.
 By using good and modern gadgets –
observations can be made continuously
and also for a larger duration of time
period.
 Observation is less demanding in nature,
which makes it less bias in working
abilities.
 By observation, one can identify a
problem by making an in-depth analysis of
the problems.
 DISADVANTAGES
 Problems of the past cannot be studied by
means of observation.
 Having no other option, one has to depend
on the documents available.
 Observations like the controlled
observations require some especial
instruments or tools for effective working,
which are very much costly.
 One cannot study opinions by this means.
 Attitudes cannot be studied with the help of
observations.
 Sampling cannot be brought into use.
 Observation involves a lot of time as one
has to wait for an event to happen to study
that particular event.
 The actual presence of the observer himself
with respect to the event to occur is almost
unknown, which acts as a major
disadvantage of observation.
 Complete answer to any problem or any
issue cannot be obtained by observation
alone.
 CONCLUSION
 Under the observation method, the
information is sought by way of
investigator ‘s own direct observation
without asking from the respondent.
 For instance, in a study relating to
consumer behaviour, the investigator
instead of asking the brand of wrist watch
used by the respondent, may himself look
at the watch.
 The main advantage of this method is that
subjective bias is eliminated, as such is
relatively less demanding of active
cooperation on the part of respondents as
happens to be the case in the interview or
the questionnaire method.
 This method is particularly suitable in
studies (i.e. respondents) who are not
capable of giving verbal reports of their
feelings for one reason or the other.