Applied Research Skills Report: Research Method Observation Analysis

This report delves into the application of observation as a research method, examining its various techniques, including participant and direct observation, structured and unstructured approaches, and controlled versus uncontrolled settings. The report highlights the benefits of observation, such as providing rich data and accessing social settings, while also acknowledging its limitations, including observer bias and ethical considerations. It explores the ethical dimensions of observational studies, emphasizing privacy, consent, and the importance of researcher responsibility. The report further discusses data collection, including the use of online surveys, and addresses the challenges and biases associated with different data collection methods. It concludes with a discussion of the importance of ethical standards and the need for researchers to consider potential biases and ensure the accuracy and reliability of their findings. The report emphasizes the significance of understanding and addressing these factors for effective research outcomes.

Applied Research Skills
Name of the Student
Name of the University

Table of Contents
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
Answer 1..........................................................................................................................................3
Answer 2..........................................................................................................................................4
Answer 3..........................................................................................................................................7
Answer 4..........................................................................................................................................9
Task 2.............................................................................................................................................11
Answer 1........................................................................................................................................11
Answer 2........................................................................................................................................13
Answer 3........................................................................................................................................16
Answer 4........................................................................................................................................17
References......................................................................................................................................20

Task 1
Answer 1
As commented by Kumar (2019), observation has been utilized in social sciences as a
method of gathering data related to people, cultures and processes. Observations have been
related to observation of participant and important in anthropological and sociological studies in
typical methodological approach in ethnography. It has been a tool which is utilized regularly for
gathering data by researchers and teachers in their classrooms, by social workers in community
groups for studying human behavior. As stated by Bresler and Stake (2017), anthropologists in
late 19th century used to provide information about observation as a social science method. These
researches have helped in setting standards for conducting observation in research. Observation
has been proven to be an essential for researching beyond field of anthropology which are
utilized for frequently ion sociology, education, psychology and social science disciplines. As
suggested by Fletcher (2017), there have been two types of observation including participant
observation and direct observation. Participant observation deals with researching under both
participant and observer. Direct observation has been involving observing without interacting
with objects and people under the study.
The main purpose of observation is to identify relationships with respondents and
learning how to set interactive organized and prioritized in setting. As stated by af Wåhlberg
(2017), observation can be utilized in both quantitative and qualitative studies. For example, the
researcher might observe an experiment and collect data from it which will be quantitative. A
teacher might observe students for determining their behavioral attitudes which will be a
qualitative. Participant observation has been helpful for understanding participants by engaging

in activities in which participants have been involved (Mohajan 2018). Observation has been
utilized for triangulate data and verify findings derived from one source of data with another
sources of data.
There are some benefits and limitations for utilizing observation. Benefits include it helps
researcher for accessing various aspects of social setting which might not be visible to general
people. Observations helps in providing rich source of data and detailed descriptions of social
setting. It also helps in developing new questions for respondents. However, there are certain
disadvantages of utilizing observation (Taherdoost 2016). Researchers might not be interested in
what happens behind the scenes. Data collection depends on culture and behavior of respondents
on given point of time. The quality of data collection depends on the contribution of researcher
and ability to collect data from respondents. Observation is depended on watching other answers
and data. Therefore, researcher need to consider biases that deals with behavior of respondents.
The degree to which extent of observations is not validated and reliable data collection method
as researcher cannot behavior of participants based on particular topic. Issues of the past cannot
be studied by the means of observation. Controlled observation need special instruments for
effective working that are costly. Researcher need to acknowledge their biases and exclude those
biases for making accurate interpretations (Ørngreen and Levinsen 2017). The quality of
observations can be determined by ability to describe what is being observed in detail.
Answer 2
There are four dimensions which help in differentiating different approach to
observation:

Controlled or Uncontrolled observation: As commented by De Costa, Crowther and Maloney
(2019), controlled observations deals with observations done under influence of some of external
forces and these observations might be rarely lead to improvement in precision of the outcomes
of research. However, these observations have been effective in working as these are prepared
for working in coordination with mechanical synchronizing devices. On other side, uncontrolled
observations are done in natural environment and is reverse to controlled observation involving
no influence and guidance of ant type of external forces (Brace 2018).
Participants or non-participants: Participation by spectators having different types of
processes done by group under study referring to member type of observation. The grade of
participation has been affected by nature of reading and depend on type of situation. However, in
non-participant type of observation, no participant of observer takes place and include no
relationship between researcher and group (Taherdoost 2017).
Structured or Unstructured observation: As suggested by Strauss, Witoelar and Sikoki
(2016), structured observation has been working as per plan and include proper information of
units which needed to be observed. Different features needed to be noted and recorded for
deciding properly in advance. These observations include utilization of special gadgets for
purpose of data collection in a structured manner. However, unstructured observation are
diametrically against structured observation. Observer has freedom for noting down about
feelings of researcher which are relevant to point of study. This approach of observation has been
suitable for exploratory research.
Concealed or unconcealed observation: As commented by Taherdoost (2016), concealed
observation is suitable in case of presence of observer affecting behavior of observed subjects for
increasing accuracy of data. The major issue in concealed observation has been related to ethical

issues related with privacy of users and their consent under observation. Research subjects are
not aware of being observed which helps in getting uninfluenced data. This might cause ethical
issues within the research. However, conduction of participant observation researcher might be
unconcealed observer. Researchers might gather informative data in both verbally and writing
ways in unconcealed observation techniques. As remarked by Mandal, Yang and Fan (2019),
morals has been a central point in observational investigations. Perception can be a maltreatment
for protection of individual nonetheless, this is a least nosy information gathering technique.
Ponis et al. (2017) proposed that, perception doesn't have human subjects as individuals
connecting with analysts are not dependent upon any analysis. In any case, analysts have been
answerable for their activities and specialists are not obliged for educating individuals for
explore goals. As recommended by Lee et al. (2017), colleges have been getting government
subsidizing for inquire about has been directing looks into on human members. Their approaches
have been prohibited camouflaged research which may clarify why spectator and onlooker as a
member jobs are utilized. The multifaceted nature of field work which are occupied with
observational research are troublesome. Robb, Gatting and Wardle (2017) expressed that
specialists used to follow rules of American Anthropological Association that incorporate
privileges of members and interests should be made sure about by analysts. Members must not
be abused or hurt in any manners. All reports should be made accessible for supports as well as
for members as a rule. The moral benchmarks in the observational examination should be
referenced in the exploration. This aides in legitimate conduction of research with the assistance
of observational examination. Ethnographic research has been getting from social and social
human sciences in which analyst has been requiring for investing significant energy in the field
and examining this marvel inside social setting. The moral thought of perception have been

identified with the segment components of members (Adeel, Yeh and Zhang 2016). There is a
sharp need of endorsement from morals council during perception. The utilization of different
techniques in the improvement of these issues are influencing the aftereffects of the
investigation. Perception has been a superb device for gathering information from different
wellsprings of information. It has been requiring a decent memory and appropriate referenced
points of interest from the members. This sort of information assortment has been helping in
giving a superior way to deal with the aftereffects of the investigation. Analysts need to give
certain attention on perception process so that there is no mischief given to the members. All
information and data of members should be guarded made sure about and under Data Protection
Act 1998 (Schuster et al. 2018). This will help in giving better ways to deal with the information
assortment process. There are different exercises which should be justifiable inside the
examination. This has been helping in giving better way to deal with the investigation.
Answer 3
As commented by Menigoz et al. (2018), researchers used to discount data grouped in
first days as they appear from dissimilar from what is observed later in observation. Therefore,
observed data based on researcher perspective has been linked with observer bias. This might
occur when thinkable issue with participant observation is faded and disappeared as role
assumed by researcher in group has been taken over researcher and goes native. This might result
in biases accounts. For example, researcher might be recording errors during interpreting certain
tasks, behaviors and events in non-verbal cases. Observation of events which occur during
recording from observation can be utilized for minimizing these occurrences. Training can be
offered to researchers on ways for observing and events for recording from the observation
(Sukul et al. 2019). Effective observation researches have been best for establishing inter-

observer reliability. These might be established during training of observers and videotaped
helps in establishing reliability of inter-observers. The best formula which might be observed for
dividing and categorizing number of agreements among trainees. The web has been giving an
immense virtual system to various types of individuals everywhere throughout the world. Online
poll has been conveyed to members with the assistance of web. This has made simplicity of
gathering information from members. Traditional study used to require a great many dollars for
making and dispersing overview structure to members. Progression in overview has been helping
in limiting expenses of the dispersion of study to members (Gašparović 2017). Online overview
survey can be circulated to members with the assistance of email. This aides in limiting the
expense of the creation review. Traditional overview structures doesn't give mechanized
information dealing with systems. Contribution of information must be done physically which
makes information taking care of troublesome. The utilization of assortment in web use has
helped in topping off the poll over the web. In this way, the treatment of information is to be
done over the web and robotized. The reactions of respondents are put away over the overview
database over web. This aides in limiting blunders in information stockpiling and dealing with.
Online review has helped members to top off at their own pace over the web. In this manner,
there has been increment in the reaction rate from respondents. Respondents used to top off the
structure utilizing over the web which helps in quick filling of information. Traditional studies
used to be set up with the assistance of pen and paper and dispersed hand-to-hand to respondents.
Hence, there was no extent of changing any substance in future. In any case, in present day study
survey, there is an adaptability of changing substance anytime of time (Varghese and Jana 2019).
It gives adaptability of changing and altering the substance of review survey. An online study
isn't appropriate for open finished inquiries as there is no nearness of questioner for investigating

answers gave by the respondents. Survey polls are not to reach to populace who don't have web
association. These sort of populace lives in provincial zones or open country. Survey
misrepresentation has been the greatest weaknesses of online overview. There are numerous
members who simply top off the overview structure to get impetus from that. This causes
topping off wrong type of information in the poll. This causes extortion in topping off the
information. Members are less inclined to remain completely occupied with topping off the study
for 8-10 minutes. Rehashed demands for finishing the overview may cause redundancy of
information in the study database. There have been biasness in topping off review structures for
members.
Answer 4
As commented by Brace (2018), ethics has been a major factor in observational studies.
Observation can be an abuse for privacy of individual however, this is a least intrusive data
gathering method. Havierniková, Lemańska-Majdzik and Mura (2017) suggested that,
observation does not have human subjects as people interacting with researchers are not subject
to any experiment. However, researchers have been responsible for their actions and researchers
are not obliged for informing people for research intentions. As suggested by Taherdoost (2016),
universities have been receiving government funding for research has been guiding researches on
human participants. Their policies have been outlawed disguised research which might explain
why observer and observer as a participant roles are used. The complexity of field work which
are engaged in observational research are difficult. Shan, Hwang and Wong (2017) stated that
researchers used to follow guidelines of American Anthropological Association that include
rights of participants and interests need to be secured by researchers. Participants must not be
exploited or harmed in any ways. All reports need to be made available not only for sponsors but

also for participants in general. The ethical standards in the observational study need to be
mentioned in the research. This helps in proper conduction of research with the help of
observational study. Ethnographic research has been deriving from social and cultural
anthropology in which researcher has been requiring for spending considerable time in the field
and studying this phenomenon within social cultural context. The ethical consideration of
observation have been related to the demographic elements of participants. There is a sharp need
of approval from ethics committee during observation. The use of various methods in the
development of these issues are affecting the results of the study (Imanishi and Nakamura 2019).
Observation has been an excellent tool for collecting data from various sources of data. It has
been requiring a good memory and proper mentioned advantages from the participants. This type
of data collection has been helping in providing a better approach to the results of the study.
Researchers need to provide certain focus on observation process so that there is no harm
provided to the participants. All data and information of participants need to be kept secured and
safe under Data Protection Act 1998. This will help in providing better approaches to the data
collection process. There are various activities which need to be understandable within the study.
This has been helping in providing better approach to the study. As remarked by Naeimi,
Karbasioun and Abbasi (2017), perception has been utilized in sociologies as a strategy for get-
together information identified with individuals, societies and procedures. Perceptions have been
identified with perception of member and significant in anthropological and sociological
examinations in commonplace methodological methodology in ethnography. It has been a device
which is used routinely for get-together information by scientists and educators in their
homerooms, by social specialists in local gatherings for considering human conduct. As
expressed by Murayama et al. (2019), anthropologists in late nineteenth century used to give data

about perception as a sociology technique. These explores have helped in setting measures for
directing perception in inquire about. Perception has been demonstrated to be a basic for
examining past field of human sciences which are used for every now and again particle
humanism, instruction, brain science and sociology disciplines. As proposed by Kumar (2019),
there have been two kinds of perception including member perception and direct perception.
Member perception manages exploring under both member and eyewitness. Direct perception
has been including seeing without connecting with articles and individuals under the
investigation.
Task 2
Answer 1
Data Collection has been an essential part in the study. Data collection has been helping
in gathering essential data and information from different sources. There has been advancement
in the method of data collection method in study. There are two types of data collection method
including primary and secondary method of data collection. Primary data collection strategy has
been focusing on primary data sources. Primary data can be collected from online survey
questionnaire. Surveys are the most commonly used instrument for collecting data and
information. It has become a default tool for various researchers (Bresler and Stake 2017). It has
been a faster way of collecting data from huge number of respondents at a time. Surveys are well
defined quantitative and qualitative research strategies. Traditional surveys have been accessible
in rural areas as people do not have access to the internet. Therefore, initially survey was a slow
process of data collection as distribution of survey forms used to be done manually. These
surveys have been used for providing more data on respondents from demographic information.
However, advancement in data collection techniques have been initiated by implementation of

internet. The layout and design of questionnaire have an effect on collection of data and need to
be well planned. Designing survey has been an important part of the data collection.
Advancement in data collection method has been focused on online survey. There are several
benefits of online survey which are mentioned below:
Ease of Data Collection: The internet has been providing a vast virtual network for different
kinds of people all over the world. Online questionnaire has been deployed to participants with
the help of internet. This has made ease of collecting data from participants (Fletcher 2017).
Minimal Costs: Traditional survey used to require thousands of dollars for making and
distributing survey form to participants. Advancement in survey has been helping in minimizing
costs of the distribution of survey to participants. Online survey questionnaire can be distributed
to participants with the help of email. This helps in minimizing the cost of the making survey.
Automation in Data Handling: Traditional survey forms does not provide automated data
handling procedures. Input of data has to be done manually which makes data handling difficult.
The use of variety in internet usage has helped in filling up the questionnaire over the internet.
Therefore, the handling of data is to be done over the internet and automated. The responses of
respondents are stored over the survey database over internet. This helps in minimizing errors in
data storage and handling (af Wåhlberg 2017).
Increase in response rates: Online survey has helped participants to fill up at their own pace over
the internet. Therefore, there has been increase in the response rate from respondents.
Respondents used to fill up the form using over the internet which helps in fast filling of data.
Flexibility of Design: Traditional surveys used to be prepared with the help of pen and paper and
distributed hand-to-hand to respondents. Therefore, there was no scope of changing any content
in future. However, in modern survey questionnaire, there is a flexibility of changing content at