Research Methods: Observation Techniques, Bias, and Ethics Evaluation

This report delves into various aspects of observation methods in psychological research. It begins by defining observation, outlining its key purpose, and detailing its advantages and disadvantages. The report then explores different dimensions that distinguish various observation approaches, incl...Read More

ARS Assessment

INTRODUCTION
Data collect of research refers to analyse different sources of data and gather relevant
information from them. It includes the criterion of collecting related data to analyse in order to
conduct investigation of specific topic. However, it is necessary to gather accurate information
related to specific research problem which facilitate to gain more accurate findings respectively.
It is essential for researcher to select appropriate sources for gathering information related to
research topic which helps to gain more accurate as well as reliable findings. It is observed that if
data is accurate and gathered form recent sources then it will provide support to achieve better
research outcomes. It has been analysed that primary and secondary data collection sources are
used in study with specific resources that are suitable for particular investigation. Moreover, it is
observed that the data collection and its analysis is an important part of every research which
helps to attain respective outcomes according to which effective actions can be taken by people
to improve their lives. In context of this investigation, it will focus on purpose of observation
with its advantages and disadvantages along with critical evaluation of ethics. It will also include
advancements of technology that helps to gather from online survey questionnaires and multiple
methods of data collection. The critique of data collection method biases and resorting multi
methods of it is given below.
TASK 1
1. Describe the key purpose of observation, outlining advantages and disadvantages of this
research approach to collect data.
Observation can be defined as method to gather data by observing important aspects of
investigation. It includes the criterion of carrying out observation specific phenomenon in order
to collect relevant data to gain better findings. Basically, it can be consider as a qualitative
research method to observe target population along with analysing in their natural real settings. It
involves the observational research is utilised where other methods including surveys,
questionnaires etc. were not adequate or effective. It is necessary to make an effective
observation for target aspect in terms of gathering information to gain better outcomes.
However, it has been analysed that observation is primary method of data collection which is
helps to gather first hand data that was never used by others. It is observed that observation is
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used by researchers to properly observe selected respondents to collect relevant data which
facilitate to achieve accurate results of study in appropriate way.
The key purpose of observation is to collect data by proper observing respective target
population and other aspects. It is responsible for fostering the in depth and rich understanding of
a phenomenon, situation and setting as well as behaviour of participants in particular settings.
Meanwhile, the observation can be considered as an essential part of gaining an understanding of
naturalist setting and its members’ ways of observation. It is necessary to carry out observation
to collect every detail of respondents under observation for research which are helpful to attain
accurate finings respectively. However, the observation method is known as a systematic
approach which is used to all the sense for examining people in natural settings or naturally
occurring conditions. It includes the criterion of prolonged involvement in settings or social
situation. It includes the clearly expressed and self-conscious notations of the way of observing
are done. Moreover, it consist the tactical and methodological improvisation in order to develop
a full understanding of the setting of interest. Additionally, it is necessary to impart the attention
in ways which is on some sense standardised along with recording one’s observations
accordingly.
Advantages of observation method
 It is a simplest method and common to use by researchers because it doesn’t need any
technical knowledge. A little training can make an individual perfect to observe their
surroundings to collect data for investigation.
 The observation method is useful in order to frame hypothesis because observation is
known as main base of framing any kind of hypothesis on research.
 This method has greater accuracy because researcher can examine the aspects which are
necessary to gather appropriate data to gain findings respectively.
 It is known as a universal method because it is very common and easy way that can be
used in all sciences and research.
 The observation method can be considered as an only technique that is appropriate tool
for few of cases in which behaviour. Feelings and activities are required to be analysed
for investigation.
 It is known to be an independent method that can be used by people to make report
willingly because they should remain careful to gather every aspect with dedication.
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Disadvantages of observation method
 The observation method has disadvantage that some of the occurrences many not be open
to observation that impact negatively on outcomes.
 It includes that not all occurrences open to observation can be observed when observer is
at hand.
 The observation method provides information that can have lack of reliability as well as
faulty perception.
 It includes the personal bias of observer which impact negatively on accuracy of
collected data as well as respective findings.
 The observation method is responsible for making investigation process slow, expensive
and inadequate method because all answers cannot be gathered by observation.
 It includes the difficulty in order to check validity of collected information in
investigation.
2. Discuss four dimensions that distinguish various approaches to observation.
The observation method consist several techniques including complete observer, observer as
participant, participant as observer and complete participant. It also consist number of different
studies in which observation is used such as testing method, case study, cross sectional method,
naturalistic observation, laboratory method and longitudinal observation method of investigation.
Initially, testing method involves the utilising tests in learning about behaviour of human beings.
Secondly, case study method contains in depth investigation of a person or small group. Thirdly,
cross sectional method includes proper observation of respondents over a long duration of time.
However, naturalistic observation method involves the observation of people and animals over a
long period of time. Meanwhile, laboratory method consist the criterion of observing behaviour
in a lab. Moreover, longitudinal method involves that respondents are observed at intervals over
a time period. These methods of investigation consider observation as an effective method of
carrying out study on specific research problem in order to gain accurate outcomes. In addition to
this, it has been analysed that there are four dimensions that are responsible for distinguishing
number of approaches to observation. It includes the naturalistic observation, participant
observation, structured observation and archival observation. Basically, it involves the different
criterion of these dimensions according to which they distinguish approaches to observation.
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Initially, participant observation can be defined as where selected individuals from target
population were remaining under observation to record data for further analysis. It includes the
criterion of observing participants and observers play a dual role in terms of gathering
information by carefully evaluating details. Basically, it is necessary that researcher should
embed themselves in the phenomenon of interest and their efforts to gather data for investigation
in respect of gaining results for specific research problem. It involves the criterion of applying
disguised vs. undisguised distinction that participants may not know researchers are among them.
Secondly, the naturalistic observation can be described as a method where human beings or
animals were observed in their natural habitat to study about their behaviours. It is observed that
it is necessary to carry out observation in natural settings in which target population is
comfortable which is favourable to gain appropriate data. It will provide support to analyse
accurate information related to research problem in respect of gaining correct findings
respectively. It can be consider as a part of direct observation of behaviour in natural settings
without any attempt of observer to intervene is frequently that is known as naturalistic
observation.
Thirdly, the structured observation includes setting a criterion of carry out interview in order to
collect information from selected information. It includes the method of observing answers and
way of responding of people in terms of collecting relevant data. Meanwhile, this method is
commonly utilised by developmental psychologists in order to conduct investigation to gain
evidence on specific clinical practices of psychology. It involves the fact that structured
observation exist in between naturalistic and control of laboratory methods accordingly.
However, it is essential to conduct the observation by setting specific criterion of interview
through which desired information should be gathered to gain findings appropriately. In addition
to this, archival observation refers to data that is collected which already exist in someone’s
files. It includes the method in which originality developed in respect of making report or study
the respective purposes. However, this data is often kept due to legal needs, for future reference
or as an internal record accordingly. Basically, it can be consider as an effective method that can
used for investigation in terms of gathering accurate data which facilitate to attain accurate
findings respectively. Moreover, it consist the benefit of easy search access which is faster along
with ensuring integrity for legal value preservation. It is helpful to manage retention duration of
time as well as storage along with enabling paperless offices and procedures. It involves the
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advantage through which the gathered information for investigation can be stored in safe manner
in both digital as well as paper format. Furthermore, it is favourable because documents and
should be kept in an organised way then they can be easily accessed at the time of requirements.
3. A disadvantage of observation is observer bias. Discuss at least two ways of minimising
observer bias.
The observation method is known to be used commonly because it is easy to use by investigators
in order to gain respective outcomes. It includes the several advantages of this method due to
which most of the researchers utilised the same to carry out study of specific topic. Basically, the
observation method consist several disadvantages as well due to which few of investigators
avoid it to use. It involves the one the limitation that is observation is a method which is observer
biased because everything is not able to gather by means of observation. Meanwhile, it is well
known that problem related to the past were not able to be analysed with the help of observation
and this method develop situation where an investigator has no other option to remain depends
upon the available documents accordingly. The opinions and actual views of respondents cannot
be accessed by means of using observation technique.
The observer becomes biased sometimes due to which accuracy of collect data reduced that
impact negatively on the findings. It is necessary for researcher to make sure that information
gathered should be accurate because findings are based on it and relevant evidence for specific
topic will not remain reliable. However, it has been analysed that findings of any investigation is
helpful to ensure that particular process or method is beneficial and that can be sued for welfare
of people or any other aspect. It is essential to carry out observation of target population in more
effective as well as efficient manner which helps to conduct analysis properly. It will provide
support to study about actual facts and figures related to research in order to interpret accurate
findings respectively. The observer needs proper leaning to overcome the threat of bias to collect
appropriate data for investigation.
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4. Provide a critical evaluation of the ethics using concealed observation as a research method.
TASK 2
1. Advancements in technology in technology have helped data gathering via online survey
questionnaires? Discuss the mechanisms that can be used to administer online
questionnaires and outline the advantage and disadvantage that may occur.
2. Explain the principles of wording, starting how these are important in questionnaire, citing
examples not in the book.
3. How are multiple methods of data collection and from multiple sources related to the
reliability and validity of the measures?
4. “Every data collection method has its own built-in biases, Therefore, resorting to multi-
methods of data collection in only going to compound the biases.” Provide a critique of
this statement.
CONCLUSION
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