Dr Krishnan is going to observe and record children’s play behaviour at a nursery school without attempting to influence or control the behaviour. Which method of research is involved? Explain the process and discuss its merits and demerits.
Solution
Dr Krishnan will use non-participant observation method to observe and record children’s play behaviour at a nursery school without attempting to influence or control the behaviour. She will sit in the corner of the playschool and will observe the behaviour of children, their interaction with other children and teachers, how they play and react to winning and losing. The children will not be aware that they are being observed. Later, she will record her observations in a file. She will analyse and conclude it and then try to match her conclusion with the hypothesis.
Merits of non-participant observation method
The researcher observes the people and their behaviour in a naturalistic situation as it occurs.
Demerits of non-participant observation method
This method is time taking, labour intensive and vulnerable to the researcher’s bias. The observations are influenced by the personal values and interpretations of the observer.
