Making Observations
(Examples)
In this unit, we will be outlining several examples of both
unobtrusive observation and participant observation. These are not
the only ways in which a particular variable could be measured, but
they do represent reasonable ways to measure the variables listed.
Unobtrusive Observational Approaches
Unobtrusive measures are collected in such a way that the
participants are unaware that something about them is being
measured. Consequently, these measures tend to be less reactive than
the traditional psychological measures.
Dependent Variable
The proportion of male vs. female drivers who fail to make legal
stops at stop signs and red lights.
Possible Observation Procedures
- Use a hidden video camera.
- Have hidden observers take notes.
- Check traffic court records.
- Check accident records.
Dependent Variable
Spanking children in public places
Possible Observation Procedures
- Use a hidden video camera.
- Have hidden observers take notes.
Dependent Variable
Physical affection expressed in public places
Possible Observation Procedures
- Use a hidden video camera.
- Have hidden observers take notes .
- Ask people about what they have witnessed others doing.
Dependent Variable
Effectiveness of supervisors on a production line
Possible Observation Procedures
- Compare records of productivity of different supervisors.
- Interview the line workers.
- Interview the supervisors' bosses .
- Observe behavior with a hidden camera system (This may be
both an ethical and a legal problem depending on the expectation
of the employees.).
Dependent Variable
Eating habits of a particular group of people
Possible Observation Procedures
- Invite them to a party and observe.
- Watch them shop for food.
- Inspect contents of their trash .
- Interview others about them.
Dependent Variable
Identifying which books are actually read after taking them out
of the library
Possible Observation Procedures
- Inspect upper page corners for wear.
- Treat the paper so that new fingerprints on each page will
be visible under an ultraviolet light.
Participant Observational Approaches
Participant observation is done by someone who is a part of the
program under study. It has the advantage of making the observations
less obvious, therefore reducing the reactivity of the measures.
Dependent Variable
Pre-schoolers' rule-following behavior in games
Possible Observation Procedures
- Play rule-driven games with the children.
- Supervise games with the children.
Dependent Variable
The feelings of mental patients in hospitals
Possible Observation Procedures
- Admit self to hospital as a mental patient, and then observe
your own feelings.
- Observe patients' behavior, and ask them later what it was
all about.
- Notice how patients change their behavior depending on the
situation in the ward.
Dependent Variable
Subtle rewards and punishments used by ward aides and nurses in
mental hospitals
Possible Observation Procedures
- Admit self to hospital as patient, and then observe staff.
- Enter ward as researcher, ostensibly to study patients, but
actually to observe staff.
- Get a job as a staff member and observe the other staff.
Dependent Variable
Proportion of college students who cheat on exams
Possible Observation Procedures
- Have undergraduate assistants pose as students, take the
exam, and observe and record cheating instances.
- Have the same undergraduate assistants talk with other
students about how best to cheat and what techniques they have
used..
Dependent Variable
Steps in decision-making in a work group
Possible Observation Procedures
- Pose as a member of the group.
- Come in as a consultant and work with the staff to get a
feel for the operation.
Dependent Variable
Problem-solving steps by children in cognitive tasks
Possible Observation Procedures
- Administer problem-solving test to children; instruct them
to say aloud what they are thinking about; record their comments
and their answers.
- Administer a problem-solving test to the children; use
carefully constructed tasks where specific thought processes
will result in specific patterns of answers.
Exercises
We have also includes some
exercises to give you hands-on practice with developing your own
observational procedures.