An observational study attempts to understand cause-and-effect relationships. These studies are best used for human behavioral studies. An experiment involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause changes in another variable. Experiments are conducted in an attempt to predict occurrences. A survey is a data collection tool used to gather information about a particular product or issue. Consumers voluntarily provide feedback on a product or service to a researcher that is later analyzed. Conducting a survey can lead to an observation or experiment, which are often confused or intertwined as one. This paper will discuss some differences of each, and which method is best used for a particular study.
An observation is a study about human behavioral and non-behavioral activities and conditions in a natural setting that occurs in various forms. A direct observation places the observer at the physical location where the study is conducted. An indirect observation is performed by recording the activities for the observer which is not present during the study. A participant observation is one where the observer partakes in the study in s social setting. A structured observation is a well-designed and organized method of data and information collection that follows an outlined format. Despite which observational study is used, these same activities occur; observing and recording data that is analyzed and interpreted for the researcher to reach a
Naturalistic observational research is important because it allows researchers to observe people in a natural habitat without any variable manipulation. Most importantly in naturalistic observation, the researcher does not interfere with the situation in any way. Naturalistic observation can be structured or unstructured; for this study, unstructured naturalistic observation was mostly used. There were pre-determined characteristics that the researchers wrote down on a spreadsheet, however, specific behaviors were recorded as they happened (i.e., the type of reaction that resulted from each person who picked up the card). Naturalistic observation is important in psychological research because it gives insight into the natural behaviors of people. When a person is unaware they are being observed it reduces change in behavior, which can occur when if they are aware that they are being observed.
It is important that when Observing and recording you of selecting the appropriate method to suit desired aim of the observation it. We do observations to help look at the different areas of development i.e. physical, intellectual, emotional, and social.
This type of observation needs some planning, as the observer needs to keep an eye on the children. A sheet is prepared with the times marked out. At the each of the times on the sheet, the observer watches what the child is doing. It is possible to record the activity of more than one child.
Observational methods involve an investigator viewing users as they work and taking notes on the activity which takes place. Observation may be either direct, where the investigator is actually present during the task, or indirect, where the task is viewed by some other means such as through use of a video camera.
Participant observation is a method of collecting information and data about a culture and is carried out by the researcher immersing themselves in the culture they observing. The researcher becomes known in the community, getting to know and understand the culture in a more intimate and detailed way than would be possible from any other approach. This is done by observing and participating in the community’s daily activities. The method is so effective because the researcher is able to directly approach the people in the community in a natural context as opposed to taking the participant out of their environment. The aim of participant observation is to gain an understanding the subject’s life from their perspective, with the purpose of
Controlled Observation – allows researchers to observe in a natural setting, giving focus on what they want to study. However their intervention could disturb the setting.
Secondly we want to do an observational study of the city. We will look into five ways to conduct an observational study; natural vs. contrived settings, disguised vs. non-disguised observation, human vs. mechanical observation, direct vs. indirect observation, and structured vs. non-structured (Parasuraman, 1991). We believe each of these five methods is essential to truly understand our fans and their behaviour.
In order to find out the solution to my hypothesis I would have to collect data so that I would be able to analyze it. There are two ways that I would collect data. The first way that I would collect data is though a questionnaire. By giving a person a questionnaire I feel as though I am more likely to have honest feedback. There are many advantages to giving a questionnaire to receive feedback. Some advantages are that it is normally more quicker to collect information from the questionnaire rather than any other for of data collecting, it is easy analyze and that it is more likely to receive honest feedback because the person can compete the questionnaire whenever they feel like they want to. I really like the questionnaire method mainly
| Survey research applies to society when we need to gather data or information concerning an event or some sort. For example, Survey research can be used at the university to understand how the students feel and how they are coping with the university’s rule.
A strength of participant observations are ecologically valid. Rather than gathering quantitative data from participants answering questionnaires, when there is no guarantee that they are giving accurate answers, participant observation provides high amounts of qualitative data and the researcher can go into greater detail. By observing the groups of individuals
Observations are a disciplined for of attention to detail. It is treating the natural world as a clue, not just a perception. Above all, observation is systematic perception it is simultaneously observing landforms,
Despite its advantages, however, observation can impact the study in various ways. In all ways, it is likely to make the behavior of the observed more superficial since the observed person is aware that he or she is being watched.
At the same time, the study will posses characteristics of the exploratory research design as it will collect and classify data about sales statistics in order to observe fluctuations and purchasing patterns in terms of sales pick, costumer preference of product and product combination, preference of location, etc. Observational research will be also conducted as much information can be inferred by simply observing the consumers and analyzing the actual product.
Observational research is type of correlational (i.e., nonexperimental) research in which a researcher observes ongoing behavior. There are a variety of types of observational research, each of which has both strengths and weaknesses. These types are organized below by the extent to which an experimenter intrudes upon or controls the environment.
First of all, what is humanity? When I recall my lectures correctly human behavior is effected by nature and nurture. The makeup of a human genetics and its environment. From what I have learned from my Sociology classes and so far from the Psychology classed is that the ratio is about 50-50 percent. Although I suspect that the neutering and its environment might tip the scale towards an environmental factor what determines our human behavior and our situational behavior. This therefor could be the base of stressors that trigger how humans behave and interact within a society. It is possible the need in human to, fit in, in any situation that grooms a person’s socialization. This has been the base of my thoughts of reviewing “The Human Behavior Experiments” video for this assignment.