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Unit-19: Observation Method

present at the time of the happening of the events. Whatever he sees, he attains in-depth information notes
about it. But complete non-participant study is also not possible. He will have to stay with people
for some actions and activities. Godey and Haute have written, “As the students understand, “pure
non-participant observation is difficult”. Non-participant observation is used more for experimental
observation. Like study of the moments of the work and holiday of the labours and school students
of any factory may be done through this method. for psychological studies also, observer sits at a
distance and studies various activities of the children. in this method only external characteristics of
the group are studied, minute and deep knowledge of internal relations is not possible through it.
Non-participant observer can sit at a distance and watch the dramas staged in villages, he may quietly
sit and tape the folk songs or listen to them.

3. Quasi-participant Observation

in any study, complete participant or complete non- participant observation is not possible, because
of this only, Godey and Haute have suggested to accept the mid-way of the two, which is called quasi
participant observation. in this kind of observation, observer participates in some simple activities
of the group being studied. However, mostly he observes them without participating, with a neutral
feeling.

Merits (advantages) of uncontrolled observation

Nature of social incidences is such that their controlled observation is not always possible, hence
they need to be observed in natural circumstances only. P. V. Young has written appropriately,
“Such circumstances of life which can be studied under controlled and artificial circumstances are
comparatively very few. Usually we need to observe when it is possible and observation need to be
done in those actual social and cultural circumstances in which the incidence has happened.”Possibly
because of this only, development of social principles and knowledge about the daily life is the result
of uncontrolled observation. Uncontrolled observation is the best method of the study of complete
life of any community. Describing its usefulness in investigation of premise godey and haute has
written “it is said to be important to accomplish uncontrolled observation at the initial stage of any
research project because through it regional investigation of minute premise can be done”. p.V. young
has written, “Carefully done observation has accuracy and capability to see the incidences properly is
incorporated in it”. expressing its usefulness, Mojer has written “because facts compiled like this are
saved of position and memories and they do not lack the credibility like the questions and answers,
they are more accurate and correct”. through uncontrolled observation, (i) incidences can practically
be seen at their actual point of happening (ii) in it observer does not influence the study (iii)in it,
neutrality, creditability and objectivity is maintained (iv) through this method study of variable and
dynamic social life is possible.

Demerits (limitations) of uncontrolled observation

Describing the limitations of uncontrolled observation Prof. Banarad has written, “Data are so real and
life-like and our feelings about them are so strong that sometimes we make the mistake of considering
our imagination to be an extension of our knowledge”. its main limitations are as follows: (i) in it
there is possibility of mistake because of no control on the observer. (ii) in it there is possibility of
compilation of such facts which are not related to the study (iii) since the facts are written after the
observation, there is a possibility of mistakes in writing and also a possibility of missing out the facts
(iii) in this the observer develops a misunderstanding that he knows everything about the group,
whereas actually it is not so.

loVely professional uniVersity 147