These three conditions - the setting, the role of the observer, and the method of recording data — can be combined in a variety of ways. Two frequently used ways of conducting qualitative observation are described in Box 13.1. Both are used for recording observations of subjects in natural settings.

Box 13.1. Two frequently used forms of scientific observation Casual or simple observation - the observer has no interaction with subjects. Observation typically occurs in a natural setting and is recorded in   the form of field notes. Participant observation - the observer immerses him or herself in the group by becoming a group member and tries to understand as fully as possible how the group sees itself, how it functions, and how it related to its environment.

Casual observation

In casual or simple observation, the observer simply watches and listens to what is occurring in a situation. Observations are recorded in words as a narrative description of what was observed. The observer tries to describe the most important features of the behavior as fully as possible.

Casual observation can be useful at any stage of research. If you were planning a survey of work roles in a village, you could visit the village and informally observe who does what tasks. This could provide initial ideas for the concepts you would want to measure and give you ideas for operationalizing them. Casual observation is always a part of studies based on participant observation. An observer who is participating in a group's activities cannot help but observe a large number of things during the course of daily interaction.

Casual observation may also be the first step in developing a structured observation study. In a study of what students actually do in the library, we might use casual observation to develop categories for a later structured observation study. We could start with several periods of casual observation conducted at different times for several days and record what students were doing. Were they studying class notes, using reference books, talking, daydreaming, sleeping, or what? Casual observation could reveal various forms of behavior and perhaps suggest additional categories for a later structured observation of their library behavior.

One of the main strengths of casual observation is that the observer can remain unknown and unobserved while observing. This eliminates the threat of reactivity - persons behaving differently than normal when they know they are being observed. Also, casual observation can be used in virtually any social setting. Casual observation, however, has two significant limitations. First, as with all observation methods, there is the danger of bias or error committed by the observer. When the observer loses attention or becomes sloppy in observing and recording, errors will occur. Second, casual observation does not provide information for why any behavior occurs. Any set of observations can be interpreted in various ways by different observers.   Still, if you want to describe behavior as it occurs in a natural setting without getting involved personally with the group, casual observation is a good way to do it. But if your purpose is to try to understand why behavior in a group occurs as it does, you may want to consider undertaking a participant observation study.

This note may not be necessary, but for some readers the words "casual" and "causal" may be confusing. Casual refers to informal situations; causal refers to cause and effect relationships.

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1.This note may not be necessary, but for some readers the words "casual" and "causal" may be confusing. Casual refers to informal situations; causal refers to cause and effect relationships.