observation in qualitative research
TRANSCRIPT
Muhammad Sheroz
M.A. ELTL (2013-928)
IER, University of the Punjab
Lahore
Qualitative Research An approach to research that relies on general and
narrative descriptions. It attempts to measure the full complexity of social phenomena to capture the perceived meanings of those studies.
Bryman (1988a:172) states that ‘qualitative research is associated with the generation of theories’. However, Hammersley (1992) said that it can also be used for theory verification.
Why qualitative research?
For analyzing and researching concepts and abstractions, qualitative research is required.
Its purpose is to enhance our general knowledge about complex events and processes.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Open inquiry
Inductive
Naturalistic
Descriptive and interpretive
Multiple perspectives
Cyclic
Attention to context
Focus on particular
Tools of qualitative researchCommonly used tools:Interviews Focus groupsObservations
Less commonly used tools:Case studyNarratives
ObservationObservation is the recording of the behavior
of the sample.
Researcher relies on his or her own powers of observation what he or she has witnessedrather than communicating with people in order to obtain information what they say or think about issues.
Types of observation:
oParticipant versus Non-participant
oDirect versus indirect
oDisguised versus undisguised
oStructured versus unstructured
oHuman versus mechanical
Participant versus Non-participant
Participant observation: the researcher/observer joins a group and observes their activities, while at the same time taking care to observe what is going on
Non-participant observation: the researcher/observer simply observes the activities, but doesn’t take part in them
Direct versus IndirectDirect observation: observing
behavior as it occurs
Indirect observation: observing the effects or results of the behavior rather than the behavior itself
Disguised versus UndisguisedDisguised observation: subject is
unaware that he or she is being observed
Undisguised observation:respondent is aware of observation
Structured versus UnstructuredStructured observation: researcher
identifies beforehand which behaviors are to be observed and recorded
Unstructured observation: no restriction is placed on what the observer would note: all behavior in the episode under study is monitored
Human versus MechanicalHuman observation: observer is a person
hired by the researcher, or, perhaps the observer is the researcher
Mechanical observation: human observer is replaced with some form of static observing device
Advantages of ObservationCollect data where and when an event or
activity is occurring
Does not rely on people’s willingness to provide information
Directly see what people do rather than relying on what they say they do
Disadvantages of ObservationSusceptible to observer bias
Observer’s paradox: people usually perform better when they know they are being observed
Does not increase understanding of why people behave the way they do
Advantages of Observational DataInsight into actual, not reported,
behaviors
No chance for recall error
Better accuracy
Less cost
Limitations of Observational DataSmall number of subjects
Subjective interpretations
Inability to pry beneath the behavior observed
Motivations, attitudes, and other internal conditions are unobserved…
Observational Checklist Observation checklist is used to record the behavior of the
participants
Based on rating scales and the coding systems
Different forms of rating scales are present in observation checklists
There can be different techniques for preparing the observation checklist according to the requirement of the topic and the perception of the observer
Categories of observational checklist Duration Recording: length of time involved
in occurrence of some behavior.
Frequency Recoding: number of occurrence ofbehavior.
Interval Recording: observation of one subjectduring a fixed period of time.
Continuous Recording: each and every happening is recorded.
Features of checklistSetting
People (or actors)
Behavior
Thank You