THE OBSERVATION
1º OBSERVATION AS A SCIENTIFIC METHOD
It is the oldest technique of all those used in psychological evaluation, but it remains current and is still used, giving us sufficient guarantees when collecting data. Now it is very systematized.
TO OBSERVE is to notice the facts as they appear in reality and record them in writing (attest that this is happening, record what is happening).
The scientific foundation of the observation resides in the verification of the phenomenon that is in front of the view. Observation becomes a method or a technique to the extent that it meets a series of objectives or requirements:
- It serves a previously established research objective It is systematically planned It is previously controlled It is subject to reliability and validity checks.
There are differences between observation and experimentation. In observation, only evidence is given of what happens, while in experimentation the experimenter makes modifications to what is observed, intervenes to meet certain objectives. The experimenter manipulates the situation.
The experimentation follows the same phases as another scientific method.
2nd. OBSERVATION PHASES
You catch a Problem. What is to be observed is specified.
Data Collect:
Define the variables to observe.
Cost: time and economic.
Decide on data sampling.
Analysis and interpretation of the collected data. Draw conclusions or even rethink.
Communication of the results Þ Report on whether the findings are relevant or not.
3rd. ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS
ADVANTAGE
It allows obtaining information about the events as they occur in reality.
It allows perceiving forms of behavior that are sometimes not too relevant for the subjects observed.
There are situations where evaluation can only be done by observation.
The active collaboration of the involved subject is not required.
LIMITATIONS
Sometimes it is difficult for a behavior to appear at the moment we decide to observe.
Observation is difficult due to the presence of factors that have not been controlled.
The behaviors to be observed are sometimes conditioned to their duration or because there are events that make observation difficult.
There is a belief that what is observed cannot be quantified Ü Counter-criticism: there are already techniques so that they can be observed correctly and replicated, etc.
4th. SYSTEMATIZATION OF OBSERVATION
There are three degrees of systematization of observation:
NOT SYSTEMATIZED, Occasional or Not controlled.
Very careful scrutiny of real-life situations, previously established but in which no attempt is made to use precision instruments, nor does one want to check the accuracy of the observed phenomena. Great attention is paid to what is observed and you have to be very prepared to capture what is happening.
It is unstructured, unsystematized, but very open. Normally this is used when we know little about the fact to observe; in little-known, complex or poorly defined situations.
SYSTEMATIZED or Controlled.
The most used in human sciences and psychology. It is preferable to the previous one. Its purpose is to discover and pinpoint certain elements of behavior that have predictive value. (Frequency)
VERY SYSTEMATIZED Observation.
Characterized by fulfilling:
The variables to be observed are isolated and based on an explicit theory.
Nothing that does not fall into a preset category will be logged.
The starting situations are subject to rigorous control, so that they can be compared with similar situations or can be replicated.
5th. THE COMPONENTS OF THE OBSERVATIONAL PROCESS
All the methodological aspects that must be taken into account:
UNITS OF ANALYSIS: what to observe. (Eg: behaviors, interactions,…).
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT: how to observe.
Basic / Primary:
- occurrence frequency duration qualitative dimensions
high schools
REGISTRATION TECHNIQUES:
Valuation register.
Rating scales (when it is intended to classify or quantify behavior).
Behavior catalogs (list of traits grouped into categories or classes, also delimit antecedents and consequences).
Regulatory record in observation Not systematic (the behavior is recorded as it is presented).
6th. RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY.
VALIDITY: if we measure what we want to measure.
RELIABILITY: percentage agreement index and agreement scores.
7th. DEGREE OF PARTICIPATION THAT WE CAN FIND IN THE OBSERVATION
EXTERNAL OR NON-PARTICIPATING Observation.
The observer does not belong to the group under study.
Obs. Direct: questionnaires or interview. Interact in a distant plane.
Obs. Indirect: does not interact with the subject, collect notes, files, etc.
INTERNAL OR PARTICIPANT Observation.
The observer belongs to the group under study.
- Passive: interact as little as possible, just observe and be there. Active: be part of the group and interact as if it were one more.
SELF-OBSERVATION.
Observer = subject. The highest degree of participation. In order to observe yourself correctly, introspection is needed. (to make the subjective objective). Criticisms of its reliability: There are people who can self-observe and others who cannot. Those who can receive training.
SELF-OBSERVATION
Self-observation is a double process:
Deliberately attending to one's own behavior.
Register it through a previously established procedure.
In what ways self-observation is favorable:
Intimate and private behaviors.
Covert Behaviors (difficult to observe: thoughts, decision-making, fantasies…).
Behaviors that may be triggered by internal reactions (eg, smoking due to nervousness).
It can help the subject to motivate him to follow a treatment.
Self-observation is used as an evaluation technique and as a therapeutic method. It requires training and certain personal characteristics. It also requires data collection. The fact of observing problem behavior in oneself leads the subject to self-direct and control it. Behaviors that are strongly consolidated (eg: smoking) breaks the chain of successive behaviors and helps to modify them (eg: giving a button when they go to smoke) = Reactivity of the problem behavior that causes this behavior to be modified by other.
There are variables that help effect change (eg motivation, nature of behavior, etc.).
The only limitation are incapable subjects or non-viable situations.
The information collection system is by pencil and paper, or (mechanical) stopwatch.
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