Field observation

Draft

Observation,in all its varieties, is a process of "planned, methodical watching that involves constraintsto improve accuracy"(Weick 1968:358). Thus, while nearly everyone who goes to a zoo sees the animals there, and many even watch some of those animals, very few can be said to observe their behavior. What distinguishes observation from mere watching is the use of careful, methodical plans for "the selection, provocation, recording, and encoding of that set of behaviors and settings concerning relevant organisms 'in situ' which is consistent with empirical aims" (Weick 1968:360). What distinguishes the various overlapping and intergrading observational methods is the the character of these plans.

(McAll, 1994: 264).

See also:

• Methodology tutorial - qualitative data acquisition methods (and Observation of behaviors in natural contexts in particular).

Software

HART

• Using the BROMP coding scheme is facilitated by the HART Android app, available free of charge for non-commerical or academic use. download as ZIP file download as part of the GIFT distribution (U.S. Army Research Laboratory)
• Baker-Rodrigo Observation Method Protocol (BROMP) homepage. Includes publications that use this method
• Ryan Baker and colleagues produced other EDM tols

Bibliography

• McCall, G. J. (1984). Systematic field observation. Annual review of sociology, 263-282. PDF (Access restricted)

• Ocumpaugh, J., Baker, R.S.J.d., Rodrigo, M.M.T. (2012) Baker-Rodrigo Observation Method Protocol (BROMP) 1.0. Training Manual version 1.0. Technical Report. New York, NY: EdLab. Manila, Philippines: Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences. pdf

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