FREE Participants and Behavior Observation Essay (original) (raw)

Structured observation and participant observation are two observation research methods that are vastly employed as instruments in social research and other disciplines alike. Rather than relying on instruments like questionaries and interviews for social research, observation is a simple and easy solution that allows researchers to observe people's behaviour directly (Bryman, 2012, p272). Although both methods include observing the social behaviour of participants, there are varying advantages and disadvantages of both methods. In this easy I will demonstrate why a social researcher would use structured observation over participant observation to conduct research on the role of social media in the lives of teenagers. First, I will look at how structured observation and participant observation vary in their levels of researcher participation in the research method, this will allow us to see how the researcher would interact or not interact with the teenager participants. Secondly, I will look at the observation structures of structured observation verse participant observation and how observation structures will advantage the researcher and the research. Finally, I will look at the ethics involved with both structured observation and participant observation in how researchers can become over involved and or create bias. .
Participant Vs Nonparticipant.
While structured observation and participant observation may share similar characteristics in their methods of research, the level of researcher participation in the observations made is a clear distinction between the two. Structured observation on one hand is generally seen as a non-participant observation as to participant observation, as suggested by the name, involves the researchers participation (Bryman, 2012, p273). As defined by Bryman, non-participant observation is "a term that is used to describe a situation in which the observer observes, but does not participate in what is going on it the social setting" (Bryman, 2012, p273).

1. Ethics of Social Behavioral Research

Informed consent, debriefing, confidentially, voluntary participation and safety of participants are few factors that make research using human subjects ethical. ... By using methods such as experimentation, systematic observation or co-relational studies, research in social behavior which involves either humans or animal subjects do not differ from other behavioral sciences research fields (Baron & Byrne, 1984). ... In the name of research of behavioral sciences, human participants have been subjected to electric shocks, they failed in easy test or embarrassed somehow. ... Respect for Peop...

2. Observational Learning

Observational learning (OL) occurs when from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed. An observer's behavior changes after viewing the behavior of a model. ... Through observation, the observer can acquire the behavior without performing it. ... Learning by observation involves four main points or separate processes: attention, retention, production and motivation. 1. ... An example of this is participant modeling in which the patient imitates the behavior of the model in each step of the treatment and the patient's involvement with the object of ph...

3. Psychology - Behavior, Biology and Social Learning

Even then when I had never even heard of naturalistic observation I was forming opinions and wandering while people act the way they acted. For my naturalistic observation I observed people at my church during Sunday morning worship service. ... For my observation I focused on how at different points in the service how different people reacted. ... We use quantitative measures because we are observing and forming a theory based on limited number of participants without their knowledge. ... If we view another person's behavior as giving them an edge or recognition then we will learn the sa...

4. A Study in Conformity

Nave participants were expected to conform to our uncommon behavior by facing inward in an elevator. ... Analysis With naturalistic observation method, the behaviors observed were highly credible. ... With technology advancement, some participants were busy with their mobile phones, rather than surrounding environment (including our uncommon behavior). ... Participants were also observed to be less anxious and hence did not conform to our behavior when they were with companion. ... Limitations Although naturalistic observation gathers information of peoples behavior without manipulating any va...

5. Methodology of Nakikiugaling Pagmamasid

This methodology was coined by Bennagen (1985) to describe his version of participant observation that he used in studying the Agtas of Isabel in the northern Philippines. He said Pagmamasid here means observation and nakikiugali means to adopt in the ways of a particular group. He added that pakikiugali here does not only include empirical behavior, but also their mental behavior: "It is important that one embraces not just the external ways, but becomes one in thought as well-have the readiness of the mind to understand them" (Bennagen, 1985 ). ... Limitations The main disadvantag...

6. Motor Development of Infants

Firstly, the degree to which the participant's pattern of motor development adheres to the Dynamic Systems Approach will be discussed. ... Review of the Literature The literature reviewed throughout this paper will discuss the weight environmental influences play on the development of an individuals motor behavior Through examining an individuals ability to attain and demonstrate continuity of a motor behavior, it has been suggested by numerous authors that we are in fact not only examining a wide variety of physical behaviors but more over, environmental factors that allow for the atta...

7. Video Self-Modeling and Male Adolescents with Autism

This type of intervention relies on the theory of observational learning, which suggests that a child learns through observation and imitating other's behavior. ... The majority of the studies used observational recording systems. Though a majority of the recordings occurred in the classroom setting, most participants viewed themselves outside the classroom. ... Participants The participants for this study will be adolescent boys between the ages of 13-17, with a diagnosis of autism in the school districts located in Clermont County, Ohio. ... The forty participants will be divided into ...

8. Corporate Anthropologists

One is the participant-observer approach to research. ... Anthropologists called this type of research methodology "participant observation". Participant observation is another key term that anthropologist used. ... Rather, it is often the case that they do not fully comprehend their own behavior or the underlying reasons for that very same behavior. ... Some keep detailed project notebooks, recording what they learn during a period of observation. ...

9. Beowulf and Roland

Ages of the participants ranged from fourteen to eighteen years. ... This is done because there is the potential for triggering disruptive behavior. ... The field notes taken of the study participants" comments and behavior served as the data for analysis. ... All of theses behaviors were observed during the class sessions. ... Participants seemed to be aware of good turn-taking skills. ...

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