Observation is the study of people as they interact in laboratories and in their natural environment.
Observation is a method that can be employed to study all types of events or phenomena.
When active observation is employed, the observer focuses on the people who are actively involved in interaction.
When passive observation is employed, the observer focuses on the people who are passive, that is, those who are not involved in interaction.
When open observation is employed, the identity of the observer is well known to the observed.
Scientific observation is the type of observation that is systematic, related to goals and subjected to tests and controls.
Participant observation is the type of observation in which respondents ‘actively participate’ in the study.
Observing children playing in the schoolyard through a window is an example of non-participant observation.
Structured observation employs a strict procedure and a set of well-defined categories, and is subjected to high levels of control.
Unstructured observation has no structure at all and its process is practically left up to chance.
When observation is conducted in a qualitative framework, sampling procedures are not relevant and are therefore not required.
Physical observation is the type of observation that focuses on people who are observed in physical environments.