Observation Technique:

What  does  observation  technique  mean:  Observation  Is one of the basic and  oldest  research methods  to  gather data. Observation stops being  a normal part  of daily  life  and  becomes  a  research method  if  it  is systematically planned  and  recorded and when both observation and recording  are  checked for their validity and reliability. It is  a  technique for collecting the data through occurrences that can be observed through senses with  or  without mechanical devices. 

Observation  is  a  two  part process  i.e.  i)  someone is observing--observer, and ii)  there  is something  to  observe-the  observed. It is primarily centered arowd  naturalistic conditions, termed as field research,  i.e.  the  observation occurs in  the  natural environment of  subjects. Laboratory setting is used when target behaviours  are  observed in environments different  from  the environment  in which the behaviour normally  occus.  It usually occurs  in a clinic or laboratory setting specially equipped for unobtrusive visual and auditory monitoring. 

In observation  there  are four broad questions  that  confront  the  researcher. These are: 

a)  What should  be observed? 

b)  How  should observation be  recorded? 

c)  What procedures  should be  used  to  try  to  assure  the accuracy of observation? 

d)  What relationship  should exist between  the observer  and  the observed, and how can  such relationship be established?