TYPES OF OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH

Depending upon the extent to which a researcher can go to observe a particular phenomenon without interfering with natural conditions or controlling them, the observational research is divided into three categories.

a)      Naturalistic observation

b)      Participant observation

c)      Controlled observation

a)      Naturalistic Observational Research

            It is an observational research method which takes place in a natural environment. In naturalistic observation, there is zero interference by the researcher. This method can also be referred as non-participant observation. However, in this method the research is usually carried out without the knowledge or of the participants. This is how an observer can find out the behavioral characteristics of the participant without manipulating or affecting the natural habitat, it allows the participant to be spontaneous. The ecological validity is the top notch benefit of this kind of observation. There can be several disadvantages for this kind of study as the participant is studied in small scale natural environment which can keep us from the behavioral information of it on larger scale to which it is not exposed to. These observations can be hard to re-perform or replicate. For example: researcher uses observational research skills to observe children play during the school recess (Jackson, 2007)

b)     Participant Observational Research

            It is the type of research which possesses the interference of a participant in the natural environment in some manner. Normally, the researcher will become part of the research group in order to produce results. Researcher becomes part of the research in order to gain results which cannot be produced or observed otherwise. Such observations can be overt or covert. If the research observations are overt then researcher ought to reveal the real identity of him or her along with the research purpose, therefore permissions are required to make observations. If the observation is covert then researcher is allowed to perform his research unanimously without revealing his true identity and purpose of the research is also hidden. It has potential advantage and disadvantage. The advantage includes the better insight of the participants while the disadvantage includes the deficiency of time and it gets difficult to achieve the purpose of research without maintaining the privacy. If the research objective is covert then there is a chance that researcher might lose the objective of the research and get too close with participants, more than he should which can lead towards the production of biased results. For example: in order to gain access and appropriate data, the researcher becomes part of religious groups to study their behavioral pattern (Jackson, 2007).

c)      Controlled Observational Research

This is a research observation method which includes controlled conditions which are designed by researcher and are majorly lab conditions. These observations are overt as they involve a proper explanation from the researcher about his aims and objectives of the research. In order to differentiate between reactions of different individuals they are passed through same environmental conditions. This is the type of study which is reliable and can be tested again, it is considered as its potential advantage. These types of studies are quick, and possess capability of maintaining a large scale sample. Data is numerical therefore lesser time is required for data analysis. Because of Hawthorne effect, this method cannot be verified which is a disadvantage. Hawthorn effect states that participants tend to behave differently if they have knowledge of being watched. 

THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED IN OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH

Different methods are used for observational research, apart from that the researcher must have a plan for recording the data. There are many ways in which data can be calculated.

Written narrative field notes of Observational Research

It is detailed and brief way for collection data. It is the type which is difficult to analyze.

Templates or observation coding sheets of Observational Research

This is form of data collection in which data is recorded. It is done in such a way that each one is assigned a numerical value so the data analysis and data recording becomes easier and convenient.