Observation techniques of fieldwork

Observation is one way to collect primary data. Observation is a purposeful, systematic & selective way of watching & listening to an interaction or phenomenon as it takes place.

Characteristics:

i.)             Most appropriate method of data collection.

ii.)            Observation is a systematic method.

iii.)          Observation is objective.

iv.)          Observation is quantitative.

The observation techniques of fieldwork are divided into two techniques, namely-

i.)    Participant Observation.

ii.)   Non-participant Observation.

Discuss:

i.)Participant Observation:

Participant observation is when you as a researcher, participate in the activities of the group being observed in the same manner, as its members, with or without their knowing that they are being observed.

Advantage:

a)     The natural behavior of the respondent can be studied by participant observation.

b)    In participant observation, the observer has a very good rapport with the respondents.

c)     In participant observation, the observer can better understood the feeling of the respondents than an outsider.

d)    Through participant observation, the observer can make an intensive & inclusive study of the group & can gain into the real character of such group.

Disadvantage:

a)     Often close association brings biased interpretation.

b)    Misses important issues due to familiarity.

c)     Limited range of experience.

d)    In certain situations, the participant observation is not possible. (For example-it is not possible to observe criminals.)

ii.)Non-participant Observation:

Non-participant observation is when you as a researcher, do not get involved in the activities of the group but remain a passive observer, watching & listening to its activities & drawing conclusions from this.

Advantage:

a)     In non-participant observation, the researcher plays an impartial role.

b)    In non-participant observation, the researcher always maintains his impartial status.

c)     In non-participant observation, researcher carefully judges the merits & demerits of each & every phenomenon under study.

d)    In non-participant observation, the objectivity or neutrality can be maintained.

Disadvantage:

a)     In non-participant observation, the observer does not have clarity about certain events on activities.

b)    May be hard to gain accurate results in this method.

c)     It creates bias.

d)    This methods are time consuming & costly.

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