Observation Methods: Understanding the Process of Scientific Observation, Study notes of Design

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Observation Methods

Cathy Kegley Stephanie Tenpas

•What

• definition •Why - purpose - When - use Presentation outline
• How
• role of researcher - method
• Where
• location
• Who
• participants
• Activities
• observation v. looking - observation methods

Introduction to observations

- Scientific purpose • Intentional - participant - nonparticipant - Recording and analyzing • Qualitative and quantitative What Why When How Where

What Why When How Where Introduction to observations

- In native environment of the observed - first hand - second hand

What Why When How Where Purpose

- 70% of human energy is dedicated to understanding visual stimuli - Significant purpose of observation is to makesense of sensory input • Take in sensory data then analyze

What Why When How Where Purpose

- The observer seeks to truly understand the subject - what they think - how they act - what they understand - see the world as the subject sees it

What Why When How Where Purpose

- The observer seeks to observe without filters - begins broad and then narrows - stays open to new possibilities - Observation techniques complements other researchtechniques and offer leads for additional research

What Why When How Where Use

• When dynamic situations are to be analyzed • When it is important to preserve the natural setting • When it is crucial to understand the subjects’ interpretation of reality

What Why When How Where Observation Video Activity #

• observation - looking/ watching

What Why When How Where Participants Subject • identify group/ individual

• demographics targeted - location Observer • identify researcher bias • asses knowledge needed to complete observations Assistants • possibility of multiple observers - identify variations in observation abilities

What Why When How Where Role of Researcher Participant •Researcher as active participant • Extended period of time • may live or work in the area • becomes an accepted member of group or community ex) often used by anthropologists and sociologists to study groups orcommunities

What Why When How Where Role of Researcher Nonparticipant

• observes without interacting • often subjects do not know they are being observed • structured & unstructured observation

What Why When How Where Role of Researcher Nonparticipant Unstructured Observation • good for early stages of research • consists of note taking, no tables or checklists • Extremely time consuming • requires multiple visits • observations tend to narrow slightly as patterns or certain types ofbehaviors are seen repeatedly • researcher becomes familiar with the environment and people afterlong periods of time

• able to make distinctions as to demographic - identify repeat users, people

What Why When How Where Role of Researcher Participant & Nonparticipant Limitations • Researcher bias • Data skewed by subjects’ knowledge of observer • Highly dependent on observational and interpretive skills of researcher • Difficult to replicate research • Unable to generalize data