Research Methods: Developing your research design

Observation is a particularly important research method as it gives the researcher a direct window into the issue being researched, that does not rely on the perceptions of the participants. However observation has its own challenges, as it is particularly prone to the findings being influenced by observer bias.

The following checklist will help you to identify the key features you need to consider when planning your observations:

Carrying out observations: you will need to consider the impact of the observer in the events taking place in the setting and whether the observer will be participant or non-participant
Structure of the observations: semi structured with flexibility in the focus of the observation/ structured taking the form of a checklist (for example time sampling, interval recording, rating scales, duration of behaviours) / critical incidents
The use of technology in recording observations
Coding data from observations

Sources of further information:

Types of observation

http://www.qualres.org/HomeObse-3594.html

Advantages and disadvantages of observation

http://compass.port.ac.uk/UoP/file/664e8001-f121-4e5d-aa06-6c95c797e8af/1/Observations_IMSLRN.zip/page_04.htm

Non participant structured observation checklists

http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415368780/D/CH18box.asp

Taking field notes

http://www.qualres.org/HomeFiel-3650.html

Observation and critical incidents

https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/globalpad/openhouse/interculturalskills/cc_critical_incidents_131127.pdf

Ethical guidelines for observational studies