Observational method: what it is, types, characteristics and functioning

Summary of the characteristics of the observational method used in Psychology and Social Sciences.

In the field of psychological assessment there are countless contexts in which different behaviors can arise, providing a wide variety of information that can be collected in order to be checked and analyzed later.

Due to this wealth of information, different methods have been developed, among which is the observational method, which consists of a process of the scientific method used to observe and analyze perceptible behaviors, which normally take place in natural contexts.

In this article we will explain the observational method in more detail, as well as its most relevant characteristics.as well as its most relevant characteristics.

What is the observational method?

The observational method is that strategy that follows the scientific method with the objective of being able to observe and study the behaviors of people in a non-reactive way. observe and study people's behaviors in a non-reactive way, i.e. in a natural context where the evaluated subjects behave spontaneously and where the evaluatorthat is to say, in a natural context where the evaluated subjects behave spontaneously and where the evaluated does not intervene or modify any contextual aspect.

Because the observational method is within the different modalities of the scientific method, it must also meet a series of requirements to conform to a formal procedure that has been developed in a sequential manner, step by step and in order, so that it can be applied in a structured way.

This modality of the scientific method uses the technique of observation. using specific instruments and resources, which have been specifically designed for this type of methods to obtain a series of data related to variables of the subjects under analysis that are of interest to the observer in a non-reactive way (for example, questionnaires, a Gesell camera with a one-way glass, a notepad, a video camera, among others).

Requirements that must be met in the observational method.

For the observational method to be recognized as a modality within the scientific method and also reliable, it should have a series of very important aspects, such as those discussed below.

The observer must be an expert in the use of this methodology or, at least, should have been trained. to apply this kind of methods with enough hours of practice to be able to carry it out successfully for the observational method to be reliable.

Before starting with the observations it is necessary to have established a series of objectives and also hypotheses related to what is to be analyzed through the operational methodology. hypotheses related to what is to be analyzed by means of the operational methodology..

When choosing the context in which the operational methodology is to be carried out, it is necessary to have previously chosen an observational objective that is perceptible. Therefore, if the aim is to measure a person's emotions or thoughts, it would not be possible using this method; however, it would be possible to measure gaze exchanges, levels of response through gestures, postures, etc., which are related to the cognitive level of the people to be analyzed.

The observational method should be carried out in a natural context if possible.The observational method should be carried out in a natural context, if possible, in order to analyze people's behaviors as reliably as possible. However, on those occasions when it is not possible to carry out the observation in a natural context, it is necessary to use an artificial context as close as possible to the natural one in order not to lose reliability.

The observer using an observational methodology should make sure that the data are collected in a systematic way and that they are as objective as possible, using recording instruments that are not too rigid.The observer should use non-invasive recording instruments that allow observation under control conditions, as well as offering the possibility of being complemented by other technical resources, such as a video camera.

In short, all these requirements together form the systematic observational methodology used in psychology, whose fundamental tool is observation, which is understood as a scientific method and also as a technique.

Types of observational method

In the observational method there are two types of people who are fundamental for this method to be possible: the observing subject and the observed subject, there being a psychological distance between the two. Depending on this distance, there are 4 different levels.

1. Non-participant observer

In this case, the observed subject and the observing subject, who is usually the one who performs the observational method, have no relationship or interaction whatsoever. interaction, thus guaranteeing a maximum level of objectivity.

2. Participant observer

Here we have a case in which the observer is in charge of directing the observed subject, so that here there is interaction between them.. In this case there could be a certain level of interference, so that some degree of objectivity is lost.

3. Participation-observation

In this modality the observer and the observer have between them a smaller psychological distance, because they know each other and have some degree of objectivity.This is because they know each other and have some degree of relationship (e.g., they are family members, professionals working in the same team, etc.).

By knowing the observer, the degree of interference increases considerably. However, there is an advantage in this case, and that is that this could facilitate the observation because the observer has very important information about the observed that may be relevant to the objective of the observation.

4. Self-observation

This case occurs when a subject has to make an observation to himself/herselfin other words, when the observed and the observer are the same person.

Units of analysis within the observational method.

The units of analysis found within the observational method are those variables, events or phenomena that must be determined.In other words, it is important that before using the observational method, the units of analysis have been previously defined, since the behaviors or units of analysis of a subject must be correctly defined and with a low level of interference in order for the observation to be effective.

It is therefore important that the observation is responsible for subdivide the behaviors of the subject to be analyzed into units that are more precisely defined.

The most common units of analysis within the observational method are the following:

• Manifest behaviors that offer the possibility that they can be observed.
• Interactions between two or more persons.
• Emotions or attributes that are not directly observable but can be inferred through expressions.
• Behavioral products or results obtained from a set of actions in natural contexts.

Objectives of this research method

The ultimate objective of the observational method is to obtain information about a problem or behavior in order to know it in greater depth.The first step to be taken is to choose the subject of observation and research, always following an observational method that has been previously designed and planned according to the objectives and needs.

We must always bear in mind that the observational method is not infallible or applicable to all problems, so we must analyze whether it will be useful for the type of observation we intend to carry out and whether it is feasible with the available resources.

For this reason, we must first ask ourselves whether we have the necessary resources to carry out the observation, first of all, we should ask ourselves whether we have a qualified observer properly trained in this type of observation, whether this method is feasible for the type of observation we intend to carry out, and whether it is feasible with the resources available.If this method is feasible for its application to what we intend to analyze, etc.

Differences between direct and indirect observation within the observational method.

Within the observational method it is relevant to differentiate between direct and indirect observation.

While direct direct observation is fundamentally based on direct visual perception, direct observation is based on direct visual perception.indirect observation includes a series of techniques and resources such as, for example, oral behavior that has been transcribed, texts of previous interviews, whatsapps, blogs, etc.

Both types of observation can be used together, although it should be noted that, in the case of indirect observation, it is advisable to be more cautious so as not to diminish the objectivity of the observation.