Advantages of Observation  Methods:

Bailey has pointed  out four  advantages of observation:

1. Superior in Data  Collection  on Non Verbal Behavior: When  a person  a opinion  on a particular issue  is to be assess survey method  is definitely more  useful  but when  the non verbal behaviour is to be discovered or where memory  failure of the respondent  is possible observation will be more  functional. It  allows  not the  restrictive study of the  individuals but their in depth study. The unstructured observational methods being very flexible allows the observer to concentrate on  any variables that  prove  to be important .

2. Intimate and Informal  Relationship: Since the observer often lives with the  subjects  for an  extended period of time, the  relationship between  them is  often more  intimate and  more informal that in  a survey in which  the  interviewer meets the respondents for 30-40 minutes on a very formal  basis. The relationship sometimes becomes primary  than secondary. Being  close to the  subject does not necessarily mean that observer will lose objectivity in recording facts. This  becomes  possible  only when the  observer becomes  emotionally attached to this subject.

3. Natural Environment : The behaviour  being  observed in  natural environment  will not  cause any bias.  Observation will  neither be artificial nor restrictive.

4. Longitudinal Analysis: In observation the  researcher  is able to  conduct  his study  over a much  longer period  than in the survey.