Get Chapter 12: Observational

Quantitative observation is a research method that involves measuring and quantifying characteristics of a phenomenon. It hinges upon gathering numerical data, such as measurements or counts, that can be expressed in terms of a quantitative value.

Observational methods collect relevant data during the development of a project and use them for further analysis. Project Monitoring can be defined as a collection of data the project development generates without a specific aim, and their use for some immediate analysis.

Direct observation happens when researchers watch the subject perform a task or ask them direct questions. For example, in a study of young children's behaviour, researchers observe them interacting with other children on a playground. In contrast, indirect observation studies the results of an action.

Observational research is a broad term for various non-experimental studies in which behavior is carefully watched and recorded. The goal of this research is to describe a variable or a set of variables. More broadly, the goal is to capture specific individual, group, or setting characteristics.

Clinical studies can be divided into two broad categories: trials, in which the investigator intervenes to prevent or treat a disease, and observational studies, in which the investigator makes no intervention and patients are allocated treatment based on clinical decisions.

Observation methods are generally used in cases where it is important to avoid the sort of errors that can occur in interview methods or 'bias' as a result of evaluation and interpretation processes on the part of the workers, or when, in future workplace design, no workers are yet available for the planned jobs.

What are the 4 types of observation in sociology? The 4 main types of observation in sociology are participant observation, non-participant observation, covert observation, and overt observation.