Page 308 - DEDU502_GUIDANCE_AND_COUNSELING_ENGLISH

Guidance and counseling

Notes 29.3.4 Indirect Observation

This does not involve the physical presence of the observer, and the recording is done by mechanical,
photographic or electronic devices.
Example : Recording customer and employee movements by a special motion picture camera mounted
in a department of large store.
29.3.5 Controlled Observation

Controlled observation is carried out either in the laboratory or in the field. It is typified by clear
and explicit decisions on what, how, and when to observe. It is primarily used for inferring causality,
and testing casual hypothesis.
29.3.6 Uncontrolled Observation
This does not involve over extrinsic and intrinsic variables. It is primarily used for descriptive
research. Participant observation is a typical uncontrolled one.
29.3.7 Planning Observation

The use of observation method require proper planning.
• The researcher should carefully examine the relevance of observation method to the data need
of selected study.
• He must identify the specific investigative questions which call for use of observation method.
These determine the data to be collected.
• He must decide the observation content, viz., specific conditions, events and activities that
have to be observed for the required data.
• For each variable chosen, the operational definition should be specified.
• The observation setting, the subjects to be observed, the timing and mode of observation,
recording procedure, recording instruments to be used, and other details of the task should be
determined.
• Observation should be selected and trained. The persons to the selected must have sufficient
concentration powers, strong memory power and unobtrusive nature. Selected persons should
be imparted both theoretical and practical training.

What is direct observatiion

Self Assessment
1. Fill in the blanks :
(i) _____ is carried out either in the laboratory or in a field.
(ii) _____ observation is a typical uncontrolled observation.
(iii) _____ is flexible and allows the observer to see and record subtle aspects of events and
behaviour

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