7. Advantages of the Observational Method
• Collect the original data at the time it
occurs
• Secure information that participants
would ignore because it’s so common it
is not seen as relevant
• Only method available to collect certain
types of data
13-7
8. Advantages of the Observational Method
(cont.)
• Capture the whole event as it occurs in
its natural environment
• Participants seem to accept an
observational intrusion better than they
respond to questioning
13-8
9. Limitations of the Observational Method
• Observer or recording equipment must
be at the scene of the event when it
takes place
• Slow process
• Expensive process
• Most reliable results are restricted to
information that can be learned by overt
action or surface indicators
13-9
10. Limitations of the Observational Method (cont.)
• Research environment is more likely
suited to subjective assessment and
recording of data than to quantification
of events
• Limited as a way to learn about the past
• Cannot observe rationale for actions,
only actions themselves
13-10
11. Relationship between
Observer and Participant
• Direct or indirect observation
• Observer’s presence known or
unknown to the participant
• Observer is involved or not involved
with the participant
13-11
13. Guidelines for Selecting Observers
• Ability to concentrate in a setting full of
distractions
• Ability to remember details of an
experience
• Ability to be unobtrusive in the
observational situation
• Ability to extract the most from an
observational study
13-13
