Observation

Now, what does observation mean? Do you have any idea?

Observation is the technique of obtaining data through direct contact with a person or a group of persons.

Since the main focus of qualitative research is naturalism; the researcher has to observe the person or persons in their natural state, as undisturbed as possible (Christians & Carey, 1989; Smith, 1987). The role of the researcher may be viewed as a continuum.

On one extreme, the researcher is a passive observer and on the other extreme
the researcher is a participant observer. In between these two extremes, the researcher may be an active observer (Potter, 1996).

Please read the Observation article that can be found on Additional Readings folder.