Explain Observation Method used in Educational Psychology with its merits and drawbacks.

Observation is the oldest and most used method of educational psychology. It is considered as the most suitable method for the study of human behaviour. By this method we can get information about the behavior of the individual by observing his/her activities. The mental state of a person can be understood by observing the external behaviour of a person.

During observation we come to know about the environment through our sense organs. The following steps are followed in the observation method:

• Ø  Planning and preparation for observation
• Ø  Observation of the behavior
• Ø  Analysis and Interpretation of the observed facts
• Ø  Generalization of the results

Observation may be controlled or uncontrolled. Controlled observation is also called as Experimental Observation. Observation under controlled condition is known as controlled observation. Uncontrolled observation is called as Naturalistic Observation. This observation means observing the behaviors of others in uncontrolled or natural conditions

 

Merits of the Observation

• Ø  Observation method is more scientific than introspection method. It studies the behavior of the subject in its natural and original form.
• Ø  Observation method is a valid and reliable method for carrying out any study.
• Ø  Observation method studies the present behaviour. The investigator does not have to care about the past history or behaviour of the individual.
• Ø  The behaviour can be studied repeatedly till the proper response is obtained. The behaviour can be observed by a single observer as well as by many.
• Ø  The observation method is economical. We don’t need any special laboratory, time money and labour. Nor do we need a specially trained person to investigate the behaviour by this method.
• Ø  We cannot only study the behaviour of human beings but we can also study the behaviour of plants, animals, birds, etc. with the help of observation method. This method has a wide scope and application in educational research.
• Ø  Observation method helps in collecting both qualitative and quantitative data for the purpose of the research.
• Ø  This can be used anytime and anywhere.

 

Demerits of the Observation

• Ø  It is very difficult to get trained observers. In the absence of trained observer, the observation work is bound to suffer. Thus, skilled observers are needed so that irrelevant data is not collected.
• Ø  Observation is subjective. The results of the observation can be affected by the subjective factors of the investigator. The interest, values, bias and prejudices of the investigator may distort the results of the observation.
• Ø  Sometimes the subject behaves artificially in some circumstances. This may also lead to wrong observation.
• Ø  If the observer has partial attitude towards the subject, it also affects the result of the observation. Observer may favour the subject he/she likes and looks down upon the one he/she dislikes.
• Ø  Observation method totally depends on the external behavior of the subject. It does not speak about the internal mind set of the subject, thus this method lacks reliability and validity.
• Ø  The behavior observed at a particular time and place is not repeated at the other time and place. Each natural situation just occurs only once, thus it lacks repeatability.
• Ø  It is difficult to observe the personal problems and experiences of the subject.
• Ø  Observation method cannot be used to observe the total behaviour of the individual. It studies only the external behaviour, but the internal behaviour remains unexplored.

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