Observation as Data collection technique

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i. INTRODUCTION
A scientific research is more structural way of data collection which students or people
working in different areas of science use to reach good results related to what is wanted
to be learned, updated or to be known in general. Inevitably, by holding a scientific
research is necessary to carry on some techniques, methods and instruments which will
guide the researcher for the good performance while its connection to the topic in study.
In this work we are going to focus on observation as data collection technique at school
and in the classroom.
Observation is an important source for every kind of research, be scientific or not, it
helps for the better communication and interaction with what is investigated, that’s why,
in the absence of this method in a scientific investigation, makes it almost difficult to
make the evidences clearer and more concise for situations that deserve a total
concentration on the observation of more sensitive characteristics that involve
characterization of certain areas, behavioral aspects, images and others.
As being one of the techniques which we'll use during our teaching practices, it is very
important to be aware on how it behaves and how to deal with in the field where we are
going to be inserted.
i. GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
 Understand the role of observation technique in data collection at school and
classroom
ii.i. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
 Describe the observation technique in data collection;
 Identify observation methods, forms and instruments; and
 Describe the observation methods, forms and instruments.

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1. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
Information you gather can come from a range of sources. Likewise, there are a variety
of techniques to use when gathering primary data. Such sources involve: interviews,
questionnaires and surveys, observations, focus groups, ethnographies, oral History, and
case studies, documents and records.
˝Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted
variables in an established systematic fashion, which then enables one to answer
relevant questions and evaluate outcomes, (Roger Sapsford and Victor Jupp, 2006,
p.117)˝.
Data collection techniques allow us to systematically collect information about our
objects of study (people, objects, phenomena) and about the settings in which they
occur. In the collection of data we have to be systematic. If data are collected by
chance, it will be difficult to answer our research questions in a conclusive way.
1.1. OBSERVATION AS DATA COLLECTION DATA AT SCHOOL AND
CLASSROOM
According to Kongmany Chaleunvong, (2009, p.6) says that an observation is a
technique that involves systematically selecting, watching and recording behavior and
characteristics of living beings, objects or phenomena.
In other point of views, USAID (1996, p.3) defends that an observation is a way of
gathering data by watching behavior, events, or noting physical characteristics in their
natural setting.
The value of observation is that the research is better able to understand and capture the
context within which people interact; firsthand experience with a setting allows
researchers to open to discovery and inductive, rather than guessing what the context is
like; the research may see things that routinely escape awareness of the participant using
a different method; it provides a chance to learn things that people may be unwilling to
discuss in an interview.

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CHALEUNVONG describes observation involving three processes:
1. Sensation
2. Attention
3. Perception.
Sensation is gained through the sense organs which depend upon the physical alertness
of the observer. Then come, attention which is largely a matter of habit. The third is
perception which involves the interpretation of sensory reports. Thus sensation merely
reports the facts. Observation helps in studying collective behavior and complex social
situations: following up of individual units composing the situations; understanding the
whole and the parts in their interpretation; and getting the out of the way details of the
situation.
1.1.1. CHARACTERISTICS OF OBSERVATION
Firstly, observation is at once a physical as well as mental activity. The use of sense
organs in involved as in observation one has to see or hear something.
Secondly, observation is selective because one has to observe the range of those things
which fall within the observation.
Thirdly, observation is purposive. Observation is limited to those facts and details
which help in achieving the specified objective of research.
Fourthly, observation has to be efficient, mere watching alone is not enough, there
should be scientific thinking. Further, these observations should be based on tools of
research which have been properly standardized.
In schools, the observation technique can be used to know the infra-structures and their
characteristics, check materials, read information of different sources, assist lesson and
describe the environment in the classrooms, understand the way how teachers, staffs,
students behave and they deal with different issues, and many more.

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1.1.2. OBSERVATION METHODS
In carrying out action research to improve teaching and learning, an important role of
the researcher is to collect data and evidence about the teaching process and student
learning.
Advantages of Observation Method
o If the researcher observes and record events, it is not necessary to rely on the
willingness and ability of respondents to report accurately.
o The biasing effect of interviewers is either eliminated or reduced. Data collected
by observation are, thus, more objective and generally more accurate.
Disadvantages of Observation Method
o The most limiting factor in the use of observation method is the inability to
observe such things such as attitudes, motivations, customers/consumers state of
mind, their buying motives and their images.
o It also takes time for the investigator to wait for a particular action to take place.
o Personal and intimate activities, such as watching television late at night, are
more easily discussed with questionnaires than they are observed.
o Cost is the final disadvantage of observation method. Under most circumstances,
observational data are more expensive to obtain than other survey data. The
observer has to wait doing nothing, between events to be observed. The
unproductive time is an increased cost.
Therefore, according to Taylor-Powell E, Steel, (1996, 3), mentioned methods used in
observation technique which are:
 Overt;
 Covert;
 Participant;
 Non-Participant.
In Overt observation no one knows they are being observed and the observer is
concealed. The researchers do not identify themselves. Either they mix in with the

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subjects undetected, or they observe from a distance. The advantages of this approach
are:
It is not necessary to get the subjects’ cooperation, and
The subjects’ behavior will not be contaminated by the presence of the
researcher.
Covert observations occur when everyone knows they are being observed. The
researchers identify themselves as researchers and explain the purpose of their
observations.
The advantage that the overt approach has over the covert approach is that there is no
deception and people are more likely to behave naturally if they do not know they are
being observed. Besides, the problem with this approach is that subjects may modify
their behavior when they know they are being watched. They portray their “ideal self”
rather than their true self.
Participant observation: The observer takes part in the situation he or she observes.
(For example, a doctor hospitalized 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.
1.1.3. OBSERVATION FORMS
Observations can also be either direct or indirect.
˝Direct observation is when you watch interactions, processes, or behaviors as they occur; for
example, observing a teacher teaching a lesson from a written curriculum to determine whether they
are delivering it with fidelity. In other hand, indirect observations are when you watch the results of
interactions, processes, or behaviors; for example, measuring the amount of plate waste left by
students in a school cafeteria to determine whether a new food is acceptable to them, (Taylor-Powell
E, Steel, 1996, 3).˝

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1.1.4. OBSERVATION INSTRUMENTS
Instruments have revolutionized how we look at the world and refined and extended the
range of our senses. From the beginnings of the development of the modern scientific
method, its emphasis on testable hypotheses required the ability to make quantitative
and ever more accurate measurements – for example, a speed by a manometer, a
temperature by a thermometer, and so on.
Some of them working as measurers, others are helps to save data which latterly as soon
as it is needed. Indeed, researchers get helped and facilitated to not forget what they
observed and discover things which they didn’t manage to pay attention while in the
field. It's because of written issues, recorded videos and sounds, pictures and so on
which can help to produce accurately and more precise the contents which is being
investigated.
Therefore, during the observation method it is necessary to be provided with resources
which can help the researcher to record information acquired in his process of data
collection. These involve physical tools which guarantee to save data for future use
when producing the report. These tools involve: voice recorder, video recorders, photo
camera, checklists, classroom observation forms, notepad, pencil, rubber, and others.

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ii. CONCLUSION
As we already learned throughout the development of this work, observation is a
sensitive way of collecting data and works with the intervention of the body sense: eye
and its relevance is well-known for those who get involved in research process. It
enables us to be well-connected to the world and to the field in research, because the
most common method used for getting information about the various things around us,
is to observe those things and also the various processes related to those things. Hence,
it can be said that observation acts as a fundamental and the basic method of getting
information about anything. But it must be kept in mind that observation is not just
seeing things but it is carefully watching the things and trying to understand them in
depth, in order to get some information about them.
In conclusion, we have highlight that an observations sometimes act scientifically, when
used by the researchers in various research works, but it should be noted that all
observations are not scientific in nature that is why, when holding a scientific research
in data collection, we must make sure we use all the components required to fulfill the
standards for that as it works with attention, sensation and perception.

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iii. BIBLIOGRAPHY REFERENCES
SAPSFORD, Roger and JUPP, Victor. Data Collection and Analysis. 2nd Edition,
University of Teesside-UK, 2006
Vijay, Thorat. Experimental Methods of Data Collection.
https://pt.slideshare.net/VijayThorat3/data-collection-46411473, published in 29th,
March 2015
CHALEUNVONG, Kongmany. Data Collection Techniques. Vientiane, 25 September
2009
USAID Center for Development Information and Evaluation: Using Direct Observation
Techniques. Performance Evaluation and Monitoring TIPS. No. 4 . 1996.
T aylor-Powell E, Steele S. Collecting Evaluation Data: Direct Observation. University
of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. 1996.