Observational studies are research methods that involve observing and systematically recording data
on behaviours, events, or phenomena of interest without the researcher's active intervention or
manipulation. The researcher keeps everything about the situation being observed.
It is suggested that observational studies should be done in the person’s natural environment. For
example, you would observe a student in their school, not at home.
Types of Observational Studies
● Participant Observation
This is a research method where the researcher immerses themselves into the group or community being
studied by directly participating in their activities while observing them.
Advantages Disadvantages
1) The richness of data- Being immersed in 1) Observer bias- The researcher’s personal
the group being studied allows for the opinion and belief may influence their
gathering of detailed and in-depth observations and interpretations leading to
information. That would not be possible observer bias. (going native- Pen Pryce)
through other methods such as surveys or
structured interviews. 2) Time-Consuming- It is time-consuming
and requires a significant investment of
2) Naturalistic setting- Participant time to gain acceptance and develop trust
observation allows the researcher to study within the group.
participants in their natural environment.
3) Ethical considerations- Participant
3) Insight into Complex Behaviours- It is observation raises ethical considerations,
useful for examining dynamic behaviours particularly the possibility of the
such as group or organizational cultures researcher exploiting the group and
social norms and patterns of interaction. individuals being studied
4) Increased Validity- The researcher’s 4) Limited Representiveness- Participant
involvement can potentially provide an observation produces qualitative data that
opportunity for the researcher to share the may not be representative of the larger
perspective of the group being studied. population. The generalizability of
research may be limited.
5) Difficulty in recording data- It can be
challenging to record data as the
researcher is fully immersed in the
activity of the group. Direct notetaking.
Can draw attention and affect natural
behaviours.
Going native means that you are so immersed in a culture that you look at everything through the perspective of that culture and
only share good things about that culture.
● Non-Participant Observation
This is a research method where the researcher observes the community being studied without actively
participating in their activities.
Advantages Disadvantages
1) Non-Evasive- Since the researcher is not 1) The researcher cannot guarantee the
participating in the activities of the group, authentic behaviour of the group because
observation is less intrusive and it is they can modify their behaviour while
unlikely to alter natural behaviour. they are being watched.
2) Observation may be less susceptible to 2) Researchers may not understand what
observer bias as the researcher is not they are observing without sufficient
emotionally invested in the group and knowledge of the group’s social norms,
their behaviours. values and cultural contexts.
3) Non-participant observation provides a 3) Limited data that captures the context and
level of structure so that data produced the emotions surrounding the activity
can be measured and analysed. because of the researcher’s detachment
