Page 306 - DEDU502_GUIDANCE_AND_COUNSELING_ENGLISH

Guidance and counseling Kulwinder Pal, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 29: Observation

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
29.1 Meaning of Observation
29.2 Characteristics of Observation
29.3 Types of Observation
29.4 Steps of Observation
29.5 Advantages of Observation Method
29.6 Disadvantages of Observation Method
29.7 Summary
29.8 Keywords
29.9 Review Questions
29.10 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this unit students will be able to:
• Explain the meaning of observation
• Discuss the characteristics of observation
• Explain the types of observation
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of observation method.

Introduction

The observation is the most commonly used method specially in studies relating to Psychology. In
a way we all observe thing around us, but this sort of observation is not scientific observation.
Observation becomes a scientific tool and the method of data collection for the researcher, when it
serves a formulated research purpose, is systematically planned and recorded and is subjected to
checks and controls on validity and reliability. It is also a process of recording the behavior patterns
of people, objects, and occurrences without questioning or communicating with them.

29.1 Meaning of Observation

Observation means viewing or seeing. We go on observing some thing or other while we are awake.
Most of such observations are just casual and have no specific purpose. But observation as a method
of data collection is different from such casual viewing. Langley, P defines OBSERVATION involves
looking and listening very carefully. We all watch other people sometimes, but we don’t usually
watch them in order to discover particular information about their behavior. This is what observation
in social science involves. Gorman and Clayton define observation studies as those that “involve
the systematic recording of observable phenomena or behaviour in a natural setting”Observation
allows the researcher to study people in their ‘natural setting’ without their behaviour being
influenced by the presence of a researcher. Observational data usually consists of detailed information
about particular groups or situations. This kind of data can ‘fill out’ and provide a deeper, richer,

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