Observation as a research method

I don't know what you are all feeling today but this song has helped me re-calibrate over the last few weeks. Take a few minutes to listen and reflect in the truth that God loves and cares for you.

I want to encourage you all to fix your eyes on JESUS more than the news.

Praying for you!

Observation:

• • Qualitative research method

  • Observations require the researcher to watch and record the behaviors of their subjects.

  • Observations may either be:

    • • Participant: observer participates in the activity

      • Non participant: observer does not participate in the activity

  • Open to bias, therefore systematic ways or recording information are needed. One way to do this is through the use of a sociogram.

Advantages

• Provides opportunity for viewing or participating in unscheduled events

• Allows for richly detailed description

• Provides direct access to the event under consideration

• Provide permanent record (if filmed)

Disadvantages

• Bias in the recording of events viewed - researcher's interpretation of events

• Lack of trust in the observer by those being observed

• The presence of the observer may influence the behaviour of those being observed -that is behaviour may change

A sociogram is:

• • A map that is used to track/ record interactions between individuals within a group; directional arrows show the flow of interaction.

  • They are structured with each individual being represented by a dot, circle, point etc. Various lines and arrows then demonstrate the connection between the people. E.g.: a broken line might mean two people don't work well together.

  • Sociograms can identify things such as the most popular person in a group, the person who is isolated and issues of conflict and power.

Examples Include:

Activity One:

Analyse the sociometric observation diagram (2nd example) and answer the following questions. Justify each response.

• 1. Is there an obvious leader of the group?

  2. Is there an indication of conflict within the group?

  3. Are any group members isolated?

  4. Is there an indication that some members are more popular than others?

Activity Two:

Look at the sociogram showing partner selections (3rd Example). Pretend you are the class teacher. Divide the class into groups of four using the information provided in the sociogram to determine where to place students. Create a table to show your groupings.

Activity Three:

Choose a group that you have observed and construct a sociogram showing:

• • 1. The relationships between the group members.

    2. The roles individuals adopt in that group.

Examples of groups or TV Shows you could choose to analyse:

• • • Your friendship Group

    • The Kardashian Family

    • MAFS

Create a sociogram that displays:

• • 1. The interactions of our CAFS class!

    2. Your friendship group or another group in Year 11.

    3. Your family.