114076 SayPro Lesson 4.2 Observation

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OBSERVATION is a technique that involves systematically selecting, watching and recording behaviour and characteristics of living beings, objects or phenomena.

Observation of human behaviour is a much-used data collection technique. It can be undertaken in different ways:

  • Participant observation: The observer takes part in the situation he or she observes.

(For example, a doctor hospitalised with a broken hip, who now observes hospital procedures ‘from within’.)

  • Non-participant observation: The observer watches the situation, openly or concealed, but does not participate.

Observations can be open (e.g., ‘shadowing’ a health worker with his/her permission during routine activities) or concealed (e.g., ‘mystery clients’ trying to obtain antibiotics without medical prescription). They may serve different purposes. Observations can give additional, more accurate information on behaviour of people than interviews or questionnaires. They can also check on the information collected through interviews especially on sensitive topics such as alcohol or drug use, or stigmatising diseases. For example, whether community members share drinks or food with patients suffering from feared diseases (leprosy, TB, AIDS) are essential observations in a study on stigma.

Observations of human behaviour can form part of any type of study, but as they are time consuming they are most often used in small-scale studies.

Observations can also be made on objects. For example, the presence or absence of a latrine and its state of cleanliness may be observed. Here observation would be the major research technique.

If observations are made using a defined scale they may be called measurements. Measurements usually require additional tools. For example, in nutritional surveillance we measure weight and height by using weighing scales and a measuring board. We use thermometers for measuring body temperature.

  • Neftaly Malatjie | CEO | SayPro
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  • Call: + 27 84 313 7407
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