Observation
is the one essential ingredient of science. One of the hall marks of the
scientific revolution during the 15th ,16th, and 17th centuries was
the emphasis placed on empirical observation by such men
as Kepler, Galileo, Hook, and Vesalius. Arguments based on empirical
observation replaced arguments based on theological dogma and / or Greek
philosophy without observation, all science, including psychology, would be an
empty shell.
Although the phenomena being observed will be different for each
science, the skills observation are a key ingredient of scientific training in
any discipline. Indeed, it is my observation that the scientists have very
often been keenest observers of nature. TYPES OF OBSERVATION METHOD
1.
Participant
observation
2.
Non- participant
observation
3.
Structured
observation
4.
Unstructured
observation
5.
Naturalistic
observation
6.
Indirect
observations
7.
Direct
observations
8.
Informal
observations
9.
Formal
observations
10.
Subject observations
11.
Objective
observations
12.
Causal
observations
13.
Scientific
observations
14.
Natural
observations
15.
Controlled
observation
16.
Non- controlled
observations
EXPLANATION
Participant
Observation: For example, sees the
researcher set up. Take part in the observation of behaviour
non-participant observation: Sees no involvement on the part
of the researcher, with recording with recordings of observation behaviours
being taken from afar.
Naturalistic
observation: It provides ecologically
valid recordings of natural behaviour. It also spontaneous behaviours are more
likely to happen.
Structured
observation: It allows control of
extraneous variables. It provides a safe environment to study contentious
concepts such as infant attachment
Unstructured:
gives a broad over view of a situation
Informal
observation: Informal observational
procedures have played an important role in the development of child
psychology. These procedures are considered informal because there is typically
no systematic plan for timing the observation nor is there any attempt to
verify the reliability of the observations.
Indirect
observation: Sometimes it is not possible to directly
observe children’s behaviour perhaps it I inefficient to do so in these cases
researchers may resort to indirect observations, where the information of
interest is obtained from sources other
than the child.
Formal
Observations: This group of
observational methods are those that include systematic observing
Subjective
and objective the subject refers to observer while object refers to the
activity or type of operation that is being observed.