Observation: Observation is a regulated perception of facts and circumstances with a definite purpose in view.
There are two types of observation on the basis of different criteria:
Controlled and Uncontrolled observation: Controlled observation implies the use of various tools and instruments to control one or more variable. It usually takes place in a laboratory. Uncontrolled observation is also called unaided observation because it is made in the natural environment without exercising any controls on the phenomena observed.
Participant and Non-Participant Observation: The Participant observation method focus on observer or researcher participants in the social phenomena under study. Whereas in Non-participant observation or researcher does not participate, is a loop and observes the life and activities of the group in a passive manner.
Merits of participant Observation:
(i) It is possible to observe the natural behavior of the group because the observer is not stranger.
(ii) It is possible to gather quantitatively more and quantitatively better information.
(iii) It is possible to get better insights into the phenomena because the observer is an insider.
(iv) It is possible to observe secrete behavior.
Demerits:
(i) There is a danger of losing objectives because of emotional attachment and over-involvement or ego-satisfaction.
(ii) Some phenomena cannot be observed through participation. For instance, an observer cannot become a criminal.
Merits of Non-Participant Observation:
(i) It is possible to retain a high level of objectivity.
(ii) A non-participant observer is able to collect considerable information because of his open role as an observer and his eagerness to learn.
Demerits:
(i) It is not possible to get information on many aspects of life and activities because observation is limited to formal occasions and organizations.
(ii) It is not possible to gain insights into many aspects of behavior because the observer is an outsider. Merits and limitation of Observation
Merits:
(i) It is possible to record behavior as it occurs, without any distortions. This gives highly qualitative data.
(ii) Observation is a flexible method of data collection
(iii) It is independent of people’s willingness to report.
Limitations:
(i) Data collected through observation cannot be quantified
(ii) There is a danger of bias, especially hidden bias.
(iii) Observation cannot be used to study private behavior
(iv) Observation is limited by the duration of the event.
Social research: Report Writing in final stage in Social Research process. It consists in communicating the finding of the study or investigation to others. There are different types of report, report to general public is simple clear and interesting. Report meant to organizers, it is detailed. A report meant for scientific community must be technical.
A good report should be clear and accurate. It will not have any confusion. It should explain objectives of the study and comprehensive report must be properly organized with suitable arrangement and systematic presentation. It should be ethically neutral. It should not consist personal bias and prejudices. Report should have suitable writing style and attractive presentation. It should be always prepared according to the objectives of the study.
Report has no standard outline. But is should included a clear statement of the problem, information on finding and conclusions. In the preliminary of the report, there should be a Title page, preface or foreword, acknowledgements, methodology adopted, list or graphs, illustrations, tables, charts it should have table of contents.
The contents of the report should have an introduction, which explains objectives of the study, statements of the problem and its definition, hypothesis, definitions of concepts, review of literature and previous studies, scope, time and place of present study assumptions and limitations. Finally, report should included reference materials also. It includes Bibliography, appendices, glossary of terms and index. Certain format is followed in giving bibliography.
Generally authors name, year of publication, name of the book, referred page numbers, address of publisher is provided in reference. All these aspects of report, explain relevance of the study.
Role of computers in social research: Research is a “Systematized investigation to gain a new knowledge about social phenomena and problems we call it social research”.
Modern society is dominated by Information and Communication Technology. Recent computers perform multi-dimensional functions. Various soft ware packages provide data on different topics. Use of internet provided world wide data on different subjects. Internet provides more up to data information, very large extent of data which is limitless because traditional print media has limited space in library. Internet access is available for 24 hours a day. research . successfully save time, energy and resources due to use of internet.
Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing and Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing techniques are common in America. It helps the researcher to collect data systematic way and computer easily store, classify and analyses the responses immediately completion of interview.
