Collecting data through observation

Collecting data through observation

1. Observation in social research

   • Observation is used in the social sciences as a method for collecting data about people, processes, and cultures.
     • Gold's postures (1958)
       • The complete participant is the researcher who is a member of the group of people under study; he/she is involved in the setting and in studying other group members without their knowledge.
       • The participant as observer stance involves the researcher who is a group member and who observes other group members with their knowledge. In this stance, other group members are fully aware of the study and its purposes.
       • The observer as participant is the researcher who participates in the social setting under study, but is not a group member. Group members are aware of the purpose of the research and are more likely to be open with a researcher who is not a member of their group.
       • The complete observer stance is one in which the researcher is able to observe the setting and group under study without participating, but participants are unaware of being observed.

2. Phases of observation

   • Formulation of the problem: it tells us how to organize the process and what can be observed.
     • Data collection and registration
       • Analysis and interpretation of observational data.
         • Communication of the results.

3. Types of observation

   • Participant observation: involves being in the setting under study as both observer and participant.
   • Direct observation: involves observing without interacting with the objects or people under study in the setting.
   • Covert observation occurs when those who are being observed do not realize that you are watching them.
   • Open observation, where the participants are aware of being watched, and you are not, in any way, hiding the fact who is observing them for research purposes.

4. Strategies of observation

   • Participant observation, in particular, is useful in enabling you to understand the the world of the participants by actively participating in activities in which the participants are usually involved.
     • Observations can be used to triangulate data, that is, to verify the findings derived from a data source with that of another source or another method of data collection.
       • Observation guide depending on the purpose of the investigation in order to obtain the information in an organized manner and be able to answer the questions.
   • Field notes.
     • When you draw the map of the scenario, include details such as the size of the room and where the furniture and participants are. located in the environment. After drawing the map, write a description of the environment in your field notes, providing as much detail in your description as possible.
       • Record in your own words everything you see, paying particular attention to aspects of social environment that will provide you with information related to your subject of study.
   • Developing an observation guide

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