Meaning and Definition
Meaning – Monitoring, perceiving
and watching attentively and carefully.
Definition – A systematic and unbiased
conscious process of gathering and recording required information.
Introduction
The scientific
observation is one of the data gathering device of psychological research.
Observation is a conscious and selective process. It is guided by predefined
objectives. The observed information is systematically recorded and tabulated.
The recorded information is then subjected to rigorous analysis. The
observation method of data collection is employed frequently in social science
research. Interestingly every major inventions/discovery is the outcome of
observation. It has its advantages and disadvantages too.
Scientific Observation
The scientific
observation differs from routine observation in which we engage on several
grounds.
(i) Observation of selective
& pre-decided behaviour.
(ii) Meticulous and
systematic recording of information so collected.
(iii) Appropriate analysis of
recorded information with standard (reliable
and valid) tools.
(iv) Arriving at an inference
& interpretation of results in a language understood by common people.
Types of Observation
Different types of scientific observations
(i) Naturalistic Observation – The scientific observation done in real
life situations or natural environment and those observed are unaware of being
observed e.g. observing the people dance in a marriage function.
Advantages – The real time behaviour
and complete situation can be studied in one go.
Disadvantages – The results are
interspersed with the effect of various variables and have no control over the extraneous
variables on the outcome. It is not feasible to observe all types of behaviour
and may change with different observers.
(ii) Controlled Observation – Observation done in laboratory under controlled
conditions e.g. classical conditioning experiment & Darley & Latane experiment.
Advantages – The effect of independent
variables on the dependent variable can be scientifically established. Results
can be easily replicated.
Disadvantages – The results of controlled
observation lack external validity and participants become conscious of being
observed.
(iii) Participant Observation – When the observer becomes the active member of
the group being observed. It is of two types:
(a) When group is aware that they are being observed.
(b) When group is unaware that they are being observed.
Advantages – The natural behaviour of
the group can be observed and their deeper side can be revealed easily.
Disadvantages – The observation may
suffer from experimenter bias and difficult to record observation in real time.
It’s a labour intensive and time consuming activity.
(iv) Non-participant observation – When observer is not the part of the group
(Passive member) being observed i.e. observe without any interference or
disturbance to the group.
Advantages – The experimenter has no
influence over the behaviour of the participants and situation.
Disadvantages – Experimenter’s bias
(Objectivity may suffer) may affect the results.
(v) Structured or Systematic Observation – In structured observation
a schedule of characteristics to be observed is prepared and observations are
made strictly according to this schedule.
Advantages – Economical in time &
efforts, objectivity in observation, relatively better reliability &
validity.
Disadvantages – It is difficult to
observe pin point characteristics. Cultural aspects may interfere with
observation.
(vii) Field observation – Observation that are carried out in the field
(point of incidence) rather than in artificial settings (hospitals, classrooms
etc.).
Advantages – Primary data can be
collected from the scene without any external interference, provides
opportunity to researcher to experience the real time situations.
Disadvantages –Time and labour intensive,
limited sample with wide range of
heterogeneity. Ethical considerations regarding identity of group.
Biases in Observation
A bias as an error in
the design or execution of a study, which produces results that are
systematically distorted (Ranstam, 2008). The following three types of biases
may occur during observation. We do not see things as they are, but we see
things as we want to see them.
(i) Observer bias – It is also known as researcher bias or
experimenter bias. The inclination to perceive what an observer expects or
wants. It results from pre-conceived ideas, knowledge and information gathered
from various sources concerning the group or individual to be observed.
(ii) Cultural bias – The bias that occurs due to cultural bent of mind
i.e. observing, interpreting and consequently judging things in the light of
norms and standards of own culture.
(iii) Information bias – The bias that occurs during the recording (by an
instrument), recalling, reporting of information. It is also known as
misclassification bias (Ranstam, 2008).
References:
1. NCERT, XI Psychology Text
book.
2. http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/org/percs/observation.pdf.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2780010/
4. Ranstam, J. (2008) Bias
in Observational Studies, Acta Radiologica, 49:6,
644-645 (https://doi.org/10.1080/02841850802075082).
********
No comments:
Post a Comment