Observation Studies Of Evaluation And Institutional Research

Throughout this course, I have studied and participated in various methods of research. There were some methods I loved, some that I thought were useful, but they had their limitations, and a few that I did not particularly enjoy. Let’s start one of the methods that I enjoyed the most, direct observation. I used direct observation for the eating observation assignment. I first thought that I would be very uncomfortable using this method, but once I was practicing it I did not feel uncomfortable. I think this method is very useful since people act like themselves when they believe no one is watching. This allows researches to collect accurate data without the worry that the data could be skewed. Since my participant did not know that he was being observed, he felt comfortable is his surroundings to act like himself. I do like this research method and I would use it again, however there is a down side to the method. Since you cannot talk to you’re participants you then have to make your own conclusions, which may not always be accurate. This problem also comes up with systematic observation. Systematic observation was a method that I did not particularly enjoy. I found that there were too many flaws with the method, like the one previously stated. Another flaw with systematic observation is that the researcher is taking their own preconceived notions into their research. With systematic observation, one is looking for something that they believe people to do. The problem with

Limitation of this research method included; the creation of ‘artificial’ situations and limited sampling. Sampling was very important to avoid generalization. For this research, participants selected represented the population studied. If random sampling were done, bias data would

This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages of using a method primarily for gathering research on human subjects that can be examined for later use. It will give a basic outline of the methods of investigation, their uses and their suitability. I will also look at the scientific method as a whole and examine the criticisms of this method using the writings of Hume and Popper.

EA: For this particular study, I think the complete participant gave me an edge. These people didn’t really know I was studying them, so I know I can rely on them to act as they would normally. I wouldn’t want my data to be biased because my subjects knew they were being studied.

In the term of method, Observation is a type of tool that uses for collect information of people like watching what people do. In the way of carry out research in psychology observation is a method that can work obvious (McLeod, 2015). Study about people that use ASL (American Sign Language) must use observation and understand how deaf people use ASL. Sometime people observation by using video clip or picture but most of people will observation by themselves. In the other way of doing research is find information from internet. Most people must find information form internet because it easy to find information and have everything that most people want to find. Finding information about ASL can find in the internet in the way of what is ASL, how to use, who use it and why use it but it also have disadvantage

Using this type of research method, I can understand what I would have used other type of research method Taylor et al (1995) ‘‘argued that participant observation offers the best opportunity to discover how people see the world in which they live. It also provides the kind of insight, fresh information and new directions for research which are less likely to come from other methods. ’’

The author maintains that observational centered method of studying is not accurate, rather interview centered method bears more accurate result of study. The argument, stated in a dubious way, fails to mentions some key factors and reveals some instances of poor reasoning, on the basis of which it could be evaluated. However, in order to fully evaluate this we need to have significant amount of additional evidences. The argument is much weaker than it seems.

Depending on the scope of the research, the subject studied may not be completely forthcoming with the information they provide the researcher, thus impacting the internal validity of the research. In addition, if the subjects being studied know they are being watched, they may alter their behavior, thereby causing the findings to be flawed. In addition, there may background information on a subject, which is not known as a result; may impact the results of the findings. Additionally, the researcher gives up a certain amount of their control other variables when conducting a case study.

• What is included and what is not included in the research. What is it limited to?

Because of reactivity; people you're observing will act differently if they know the situation isn't natural, that the event isn't natural, or that they're being measured. Is this a problem in laboratory research? Don't participants know they're being observed and measured? Wouldn't this affect their behavior? Absolutely, positively, yes! But for whatever reason, reactivity is (for the most part) ignored in laboratory research.

Observation is preferably one of the most commonly used methods of data collection, especially in the sociological research. More often than not, this method is employed so as to gain the much needed empirical information that is dependable in the sociological research undertakings. The methodology is comprehensively employed in the sociological imagination concept as a viable tool in the proper and reliable comprehension of social interactions.

The choice to conduct observational research is based on the questions we want to answer. This form of research needs to be approached with the knowledge in mind that this type of psychological observation is inferential in nature.

This method cannot ensure that the individuals involved in the research are being truthful. This may compromise the internal validity. Also, the flexibility of the method requires the researcher to be open to change. Last minute changes may need to be made if problems arise. There possibly could be changes to the observation method chosen. For instance, “observer effects caused by the presence of the researcher can be problematic” (Robson, 2014). Once again, the validity can come into question in the presence if the observer. The subjects may feel the need to change the facts or sound acceptable. The researcher must be willing to try different strategies when necessary.

As a sociologist I have to use participant observation as my method of research, because I am within the group that is apart of this specific observation. Throughout the past week of watching these individuals interact with each other, there were noticeable changes in how they acted, but the transformation only occurred because of natural chances that could not be physically changed. The independent variables that were involved in this research were who the individuals were talking to, the location, and the feelings of the individuals at specific times. As I patiently observed my friends, I noticed that the only variable that I could change physically is where the group was located.

Survey research – “Survey research is the most frequently used mode of observation in social science research” which entails “asking people questions for research purposes” (Maxfield et al., 2015, Chpt. 7). There are specific guidelines to follow when conducting a survey in order to get accurate measurements. It is important to make sure all of the questions are exhaustive and mutually exclusive meaning that there is an answer for every respondent and that each answer is a different answer. When conducting a survey, you do not want a respondent having 0 and 0-5 as potential answers because 0 is included in more than one answer leaving room for confusion and inaccurate results. There are many different types of surveys that can be given: self-reported surveys, self-administered surveys, computer based surveys, in person surveys, telephone surveys, etc. When conducting a survey, it helps to have a target population you are trying to reach, a specific goal you are trying to understand, and a reason why there is a need for the research. Strengths to survey research are their ability to describe characteristics of a large population. Surveys are more cost effective than some other methods. A weakness of survey research is how standardized it must be in the sense that everyone is asked the exact same question leaving little room for going into detail which in turn misses part of the topic. Another weakness to survey research is the obstacles when trying to contact the target