The money and time required to conduct an observation are often prohibitive.

Observation Method of Data Collection: Advantages, Disadvantages, Techniques, Types

• Directness. The main advantage of observation is its directness.
• Natural environment.
• Longitudinal analysis.
• Non-verbal behavior.
• Lack of control.
• Difficulties in quantification.
• Smallness in sample size.
• No opportunity to learn past.

List of the Pros of Naturalistic Observation

• It allows researchers to directly observe individuals in their natural setting.
• It gives scientists a first-hand look at social behavior.
• It allows researchers to study ideas that cannot be manipulated otherwise.
• It helps to support the external validity of a research effort.

• Lack of competence of the observer. The lack of competence of the observer may hamper the validity and reliability of observation.
• Lack of clarity.
• Little control over physical situation.
• Unmanageable data.
• Possibility of distortion.

One of the chief disadvantages of observational research is the need to acquire access to the research setting. This can be more or less difficult, depending on a number of factors, including whether the form of research is covert or reliant on the researcher’s participation.

Strengths and weaknesses of naturalistic observations

2.5. So the advantages of observation are: Collect data where and when an event or activity is occurring. Does not rely on people’s willingness or ability to provide information. Allows you to directly see what people do rather than relying on what people say they did.

Some of the weaknesses are human bias since the observer is a human with their own bias. Also, one cannot know what the subject is thinking, their mid-set or decision-making process.

An advantage of naturalistic observation is that it allows the investigators to directly observe the subject in a natural setting. 1 The method gives scientists a first-hand look at social behavior and can help them notice things that they might never have encountered in a lab setting.

Observation Methods

• Controlled Observations.
• Naturalistic Observations.
• Participant Observations.

There are two types of observations: quantitative and qualitative.

Qualitative observations are made when you use your senses to observe the results. (Sight, smell, touch, taste and hear.) Quantitative observations are made with instruments such as rulers, balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, and thermometers. These results are measurable.

Scientists observe in many ways – with their own senses or with tools such as microscopes, scanners or transmitters to extend their vision or hearing. These tools allow for more precise and accurate observations. Scientists also use equipment to measure things like radiation or pH – phenomena not directly observable.

Observation is one of the best ways of learning. Not only will observation enable you to see exactly how something is done, but you’ll be able to learn the technique of the person doing it. However, learning through observation may be harder than you think.

You can use all five of your senses to make observations: your sense of sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste.

For things that we can not directly observe, we can use indirect observation – which studies the consequences of an action or process. For example, we cannot see the Earth’s magnetic field, but we detect it by its effect on a compass.

An observation is information you gather by using your five senses. Those senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. You make an observation when you touch, smell, or taste an orange.

Of course, we can make observations directly by seeing, feeling, hearing, and smelling, but we can also extend and refine our basic senses with tools: thermometers, microscopes, telescopes, radar, radiation sensors, X-ray crystallography, mass spectroscopy, etc. And these tools do a better job of observing than we can!

Follow these eight steps and you won’t miss a thing:

1. Know your subject.
2. Slow down and look outwards.
3. Try something new.
4. Improve your concentration by cutting out distractions.
5. Challenge yourself to a mental workout.
6. Test your observation by playing a memory game.
7. Record and consider your observations.
8. Stay inquisitive!

What are observation skills? Observation skills refer to the ability to use all five of your senses to recognize, analyze and recall your surroundings. This practice is often associated with mindfulness because it encourages you to be present and aware of the details of your daily life.