Question

2. Generate practical problems associated to informal observations to test realworld problems. Also, discuss possible variables to include methods and a hypothesis.

Answer 1

Observation is an integral part of any experiment or research work. Informal observation is a natural way of observing and gathering information. It is observing the subject unannounced, for example observing the child's behavior in a shopping mall or assessing the child's skill when they are busy in a play or doing certain tasks.

The data that is collected by observing behavior without the subject knowledge is an informal observation. The observation is useful in gathering information about what is occurring during a particular process it reflects the behavior of an individual or group of people. It helps in collecting data about human behavior, wellbeing, health, development, relationship, and other activities. It involves taking notes of the significant behavior in detail.

Informal observation includes watching, listening, and documenting the observed behavior. Informal observation can face problems like the researchers may be judgmental. If an observer is not well versed with the culture and society, he may analyze the data from his point of view, which can be biased or not perfect because it will come with personal bias or preconception.

Hypothesis: Observing and evaluating the child's behavior to peer relationships.

The teacher observes the child's behavior when busy playing or involved in a skill like drawing and music. The teacher notes down the behavior and collects qualitative data. This data is exclusive of academic records and details from any other teacher. As we know the informal observation is unannounced, under these circumstances when the child is busy he is not aware that he is being watched by the teacher, and all the acts will be natural and unwarranted so he would not try to modify his behavior. These observations are noted down by the teacher and can be used to assess the child's behavior, attitude, peer relationship, confidence, skill, and well- beings.

The design for the informal observation depends on what behavior the teacher wants to assess, if it is a peer relationship then the observation would be done while the child is playing in a group that is independent variable and patterns of behavior emerge is the dependent variable that is being studied. The teacher would note down the behavior that looks significant and prepares the checklist of the behavior that is to be studied.