Structured Observation

Structured or methodical observation is the observation performed according to a pre-defined plan, and the plan is important because it ensures the insight into those facts that are within the observer’s scope of interest. The observation remains ‘elastic’, but deeper insight into the key data or knowledge thoroughly describing a phenomenon is obtained.

All the above-mentioned observation types and subtypes have different applications depending on the nature of the specific research. It is this nature that almost entirely directs the observer as to which procedure to select. This, of course, depends on the researcher’s intuition and imagination, as well. Therefore, it is very important to be familiar with the specific types of observation, as well as with its scopes and limitations.