Geography & History Notes | KCSE, NECTA, ZIMSEC & GCSE

Observation offers the researcher a distinct way of collecting data. It does not rely on what people say they do, or what they say they think. It is more direct than that. Instead, it draws on the direct evidence of the eye to witness events first-hand. It is a more natural way of gathering data. Whenever direct observation is possible it is the preferable method to use.  The observation method is a technique in which the behaviour of research subjects is watched and recorded without any direct contact. It involves the systematic recording of observable phenomena or behaviour in a natural setting.  The purpose of observation techniques are: To collect data directly. To collect substantial amount of data in short time span. To get eye witness first hand data in real like situation. To collect data in a natural setting. Characteristics of observation as a data collection tool : It is necessary to make a distinction between observation as a scientific tool and the casual obser...

  Observation is the active acquisition of information from a primary source.  In science, observation can also involve the recording of data via the use of instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during the scientific activity. Observations can be qualitative, that is, only the absence or presence of a property is noted, or quantitative if a numerical value is attached to the observed phenomenon by counting or measuring. The limitations of observation as data collection tool in research are Establishing validity is difficult.   Subjectivity is also there.   It is a slow and laborious process.   It is costly both in terms of time and money.   The data may be unmanageable.   There is possibility of bias. These limitations can be minimized by systematic observation as it provides a framework for observation which all observes will use. We hope that you have found this article useful. what other limitation of observation as da...

  Observation is the action or process of observing something or someone carefully in order to gain information about them. Observation in research can be classified as participant and non participant. In participant observation, the observer or researcher becomes more or less member of the group under observation and shares the situation as visiting stranger, an attentive listener, an eager learner or as a complete participant observer registering, recording and interpreting the behavior of the group. In other hand in the non participant observation the observer or researcher observe through one way screen and hidden microphone. The researcher remain at distance and look, register and record what is going on. he keeps his observation as inconspicuous as possible. The purpose of non participant observation is to observe the behaviour in the natural setting. The subject will not shift his behavior or the respondent will not be conscious that someone is observing his behavior. The a...

  what is observation in research? Observation is the active acquisition of information from a primary source. In living beings, observation employs the senses. In science, observation can also involve the recording of data via the use of instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during the scientific activity. Observations can be qualitative, that is, only the absence or presence of a property is noted, or quantitative if a numerical value is attached to the observed phenomenon by counting or measuring. Observation offers the researcher a distinct way of collecting data. It does not rely on what people say they do, or what they say they think. It is more direct than that. Instead, it draws on the direct evidence of the eye to witness events first-hand. It is a more natural way of gathering data. Whenever direct observation is possible it is the preferable method to use. The observation method is a technique in which the behavior of research subjects is watched ...