Observation Data Method
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Observation Data Method
Collecting data through observation is disadvantageous because of the time spent. The researcher has to dedicate a lot of time observing different phenomena and trying to understand what they mean or what they represent. Another disadvantage is that it leads to bias, and this affects the results of the researcher. The researcher has different ways of interpreting information, and he can record what he thought he saw, instead of what he actually saw. This affects the reliability and validity of the research. Another limitation of using observation concerns the observer effect. Participants tend to change their behavior once they realize that someone’s is watching them. However, researchers can rectify this by using indirect methods of observation. The strength of observation as a data collection method is that the researchers are able to collect information as the event is happening, and this makes the results more relevant. It is a first hand experience of the events that are happening, and the researchers do not have to rely on the information they receive from other people. The researchers get the chance to collect information in a timely manner because the method does not depend on the willingness of the participants to take part in the research. Another advantage of observation is that the researchers are able to collect information on topics that the respondents would not be willing to talk about using other forms of data collection methods.
The first photo shows an empty lecture hall. There are two doors, an onscreen projector, a writing board, and the lecturer’s desk. Both doors have vision panels and notices on the inside. There is a bin near one of the doors. There is built-in seating, and the seating arrangement is in a semi circular manner. The second photo is an empty conference room. The seating arrangement is that the people sit across each other. There are several seats, a projector screen, and two laptops in the room. One of the laptops is connected to a wire passing through the table. There is a chart near the projector screen, and there is an outlet on the wall where the screen is placed. There is a door with a vision panel near the bookshelves. The screen is raised, and it is at the front of the room. There are bookshelves, which are full of different books.
The third photo shows students in a classroom. There are a few students, and out of eight students, only one of them is male. The students seem to be concentrating on different things, but they all have open books on their desks. One student is raising her hand while another student seems to be discussing something with the student seated behind her. Two students are busy writing or reading something on their books. There are several empty seats, and there is a chart hang on the back of the class. The student at the front has something held to her nose. Judging by their ages, these are college students, though they may also be working-class students taking a part-time class. The last photo shows people in a meeting. There are four people in the meeting, two of them male, and the other female. One of the males seems older than the other members are, and he seems to be describing or informing the other members something. There is a chart at the back. The older male could be a teacher, and he is examining one of the students works, based on his manner of pointing. Since the other students have different forms of work, and the younger male does not have the same, it is possible that the older male could be examining the other male’s work. .