Human Observation Project

Human Observation Project

Systematic observation is an area that marks the beginning for any study. While observation is concerned with collecting of information regarding the subject under study, while a systematic observation is the knowledge of what has happened during the course of study. Thus, “when starting a research project is that you already have some knowledge of what is going on and of the objects that are involved, and you have defined the question to be studied. On this basis you can then specify what to look for during the observation. This means that when starting the systematic observation you know and have written down two things (Arteology: Observation),

The scenario: the normal course of action that you are studying

The problem, the specific variation (dynamic invariance) in the action that is the issue of the current project. Sometimes it is possible to define this as an exact hypothesis, which predicts how the variation normally goes on. Observations are then necessary to verify whether your prediction is true or not.

Thus, observation methods can be designed to “obtain records of only those actions, attributes, or variables that are included in your problem or hypothesis. Everything else is superfluous and should not be recorded.

In order to cut out unnecessary information, you can use one of the two methods of sampling:

Event sampling. You wait until the pre-defined action takes place, and then you record both it and the relevant pre-defined variables.

Time sampling. You make the observations at predefined points of time (e.g., every five minutes), and then you record whatever action is taking place, using the classification of action defined in your prefabricated list.

“As observation always takes a great deal of time, the researcher often hires one or more assistants, or observers, for this task. To ensure uniform reporting, the observers should receive written instructions as to what to look for and how to report it; perhaps they are also given reporting sheets or checklists. The observers should also be trained for the task, and they should have some observation practice before the final recording is started. Professional work researchers often use pocket size computers in which a key for every variable and parameter can be programmed in advance. The date, the time and some other variables can be automatically registered. In this way, transferring the data for analysis will be many times easier than by picking it up from questionnaires. If, besides the number of events, you also need to record some of their attributes, tallying will not work very well. Encoding is a viable alternative, as you can then assign separate codes for each of the necessary attributes. Or, if you prefer using a pocket computer, you may dedicate some of its keys to indicate the various attributes of the events. It is difficult to register the details of complicated or fast action. This can be done through photography, but the flash and the sound of the camera may cause considerable ...