The Observation Methods Used When Conducting Research Essay

After receiving the feedback for my observation essay, I learned new rules about writing that I’m not yet accustomed to. I was also given comments that state my strengths. The feedback will help me continue to improve upon my writing skills and therefore, become a better writer.

Within this assignment there will be a clear demonstration and understanding of the concept of research in relation to the acquisition of underpinning knowledge appropriate to my programme of study. I will also be undertaking a comparative analysis of the nature and validity of quantitative and qualitative research methods. I will also be demonstrating skills in critical analysis of methods of data collection and selection of appropriate methods to informing future working practice. I will also be analyse the ethical considerations in relation to the development and undertaking of research.

The third resource that I used is from the Office of Justice Programs/Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). A specific article titled “Intimate Partner Violence in the United States” shows a graph of intimate partner violence rates declining from 1993 to 2006. The article is quite vague, with no real description or stats stating whether or not men commit more violence against women than women do against men. “Violence between intimates is difficult to measure because it often occurs in private, and victims are often reluctant to report incidents to anyone because of shame or fear of reprisal” (S. Catalano).

The retrospective observational study was performed in Great Ormond Street Hospital. All admissions to the critical care services over a 9 year period (March 2003-December 2011) were included for analysis. Repeat admissions were excluded. The prevalence of 'extreme hypoxaemia' was explored. 'Extreme hypoxaemia' was defined as admission $PaO_{2}$ $< 2.67$ kPa (20 mmHg). This threshold was chosen from reported literature.\cite{Anonymous:2013vh}\cite{Grocott:2009jj}\\

This observation is based on a family consisting of a young professional married couple and their three year old daughter. I observed them for one hour over three weeks, in the evening to fit into their schedules. They have lived in the borough of Croydon in their three bedroom house for six years. For the purpose of this assignment all the names have been changed and the family

The researcher will look at different methods and decide which should use to gather the information required to answer the hypothesis questions. These methods may both include quantitative and qualitative approach such as interviews, questionnaires, conducting experiments or gathering data through statistic. After choosing appropriate methods, the researcher will investigate possible ethical implications, validity and reliability of the data collected.

Communication plays a huge factor in observations. I think this is achieved through pre-conferencing and post-conferencing. This ensures less confusion about what is to be expected during the day of observation from the teacher and the person observing. Also, the people being observed should be familiar with the observation instrument. Not knowing how you will be scored is almost like taking an assessment without studying or

Observation is a data collection approach in which researchers use all of their senses to scrutinize people in usual settings or naturally transpiring situations, where as, a Participant Observation is an approach in which Participant observers study people in their natural environment, obtaining a depth of vision into behaviour that comes not simply from close, detailed, methodical observation but also from the researcher's own experiences within the group being studied, a method that provides first hand insights into why people behave as they do. To be a Participant observer it needs a great deal of skills,courage, commitment and the risk of life is associated with it, like doing a research on a gang. A researcher has to learn the culture

Observation, is the first strategy to be examined by this essay, and in early year’s education describes the process of looking at children in settings, listening to them and taking note of what we see and hear. Observation, according the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - Effective Practice: Observation, Assessment and Planning (DfES, 2007), is a vital element in assessing children's progress and using this to inform planning based on their needs. Observation is the formal term for one of the most important

The author of this article talks about the increasing number of obese children in America and what it will take to have healthy and nutritious school lunch programs provided to school children. During a survey performed by the author on many children who are suffering from obesity in America and the health problems these unhealthy school lunches are creating, the lunches were analyzed based on content of nutritional value and how harmful school lunches are to children. The author suggests a more nutritious and healthy lunch will help children’s obesity decrease so children will not have health issues linked to obesity and

Quantitative and Qualitative are said to be systematic in different design. Both design have to follow a process system that involved defining a principle of research.

In the interpretivist paradigm, observation is regarded as an invaluable method of data collection because it is a great source of primary data (Yin, 2011). According to DeWalt and DeWalt (2002) participant observation allows the researcher to learn about the activities of the participants being studied in the natural setting through observing and participating in those activities. Moreover, direct observation of activities assists the researcher to learn about aspects that the participants are either unaware of or are unwilling to discuss in interviews (Stake, 2010). DeWalt and DeWalt (2002) also noted that a good observer should have an open and nonjudgmental attitude and be able to observe and listen carefully.

Observation is something that educators do carefully to gain information about young children. Documentation is the process of collecting evidence that serves as a record. When teachers observe the young children, it provides the information that the teachers need to build relationships with individual children and enable them to be successful learners. The best way the teachers should learn about children by carefully watching them, listening to them and studying their work. When the teachers are watching and listening to children helps us understand what they are feeling, learning and thinking. Observation is an excellent way to track children’s

As mentioned, the research method used for this study was participant observation. This was further divided into three different segments. Each of these segments featured its own distinct observation site and involved one hour of observation per site.

This section will start with a comparison of three possible methodologies for data collection: ethnography, survey (or interview) and real time experience tracking. And then sampling and data collection methods will be examined followed by a description of data analysis.