O
bservati n is way of gathering data by watching
behavior, events, or noting physical characteristics in
their natural setting. Observations can be overt
(everyone knows they are being observed) or covert
(no one knows they are being observed and the
observer is concealed). The benefit of covert
observation is that people are more likely to behave
naturally if they do not know they are being
observed. However, you will typically need to
conduct overt observations because of ethical
problems related to concealing your observation.
o
Observations can also be ei
ther direct or indirect.
Direct observation is when you watch interactions,
processes, or behaviors as they occur; for example,
observing a teacher teaching
a lesson from a written
curriculum to determine whether they are delivering
it with fidelity. Indirect observations are when you
watch the results of interactions, processes, or
behaviors; for example, measuring the amount of
plate waste left by students in a school cafeteria to
determine whether a new food is acceptable to them.