Senior High School

Practical Research 1
Quarter 4 – Module 24.1

Collecting Data through

Observation
Practical Research 1 – Grade 11
Quarter 4 – Module 24.1: Collecting Data through Observation
First Edition, 2020

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Practical Research 1
Quarter 4 – Module 24.1
COLLECTING DATA THROUGH
OBSERVATION
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to
use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress
while allowing them to manage their own learning at home.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different
activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be
reminded of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on
any part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in
answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let’s Try This before moving on to the
other activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking
your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are
done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always
bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this
material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep
understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Information about this ADM learner’s material

I. Objectives: The learner demonstrates understanding of

observation and interview procedures and
Ia. Content Standards skills

The learner is able to gather relevant

Ib. Performance Standards
information with intellectual honesty

. Ic. Learning Competencies The learner collects data through observation

and interviews CS_RS11-Id-f-1

II. Content / Topic Collecting Data through Observation

Good day! Welcome to another module that

will discuss finding answers through data collection.
After you have formulated your research
questions and identified you research design and
sampling method, the next step that you will do is to
find the answers to your research questions
through data collection. In this module, you will
learn about observation as a data collection
method.
Feel free to contact a teacher if you have
any questions or concerns.

To begin with, we have to set goals to reach our

targets. The objective of this module is for you to
learn how to collect data through observation. At
the end of this module, you should be able to
1. determine the steps before, during, and after
the conduct of observation; and
2. perform data collection through observation.

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 Introduction
Observation is perhaps the most common and the simplest method of data
collection. Everybody in this world observes many things in their daily life. After
formulating research questions and identifying your research design and sampling
method, the next step would be to find the answers to your research questions
through data collection. Take note that you need to decide the tools for data
collection because research is carried out in different ways and for different
purposes.
Data collection is important to acquire information or evidence that seeks to
answer your research questions. The data you gathered will help you arrive at a
relevant conclusion. Hence, it is necessary that you choose the best data collection
method to achieve your objective. Among others, observation is one of the data
collection method in conducting qualitative research. Observation has been the
hallmark of much of the research conducted in anthropological and sociological
studies and is a typical methodological approach of ethnography. It is also a tool
used regularly to collect data by teacher researchers in their classrooms, by social
workers in community settings, and by psychologists recording human behavior
(Kawulich, 2012).

Picture Analysis
Instruction: Look at the picture below. Based on your observation, encircle the
objects that capture your attention.
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363/1*YtbqyIluF7joVKGMQhnY
https://miro.medium.com/max/2

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 Your score determines how much
background knowledge you have about
the topic. Your learnings will be further
enhanced as we continue with the lesson.
The game that we played earlier
Instruction: was picture analysis. It is with hope that
the picture helps you understand what is
going on in the story.
Let us answer the guide questions
below to see how well you observed.

Guide Questions:

1. What were the objects in the picture that captured your attention?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
________
2. What have you observed about these objects?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
________

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 It is important that you focus on the topics that

will be discussed onwards because proper data

collection method is essential in conducting a

research.

Collects Data through Observation

Observation is used in the social sciences as a method for collecting data

about people, processes, and cultures (Kawulich, 2012). It is a systematic data
collection approach. Researchers use all of their senses to examine people in
natural settings or naturally occurring situations (Cohen and Crabtree, 2006). This
method enables the researcher to conduct research in an immersive manner,
collecting data on natural phenomena or behavior as it occurs (Cristobal and
Cristobal, 2017). To put it simply, observation as a data collection method is a way of
collecting data through observing using your senses to examine people or
phenomena, as and when it occurs.
As mentioned by Gold (1958) cited by Kawulich (2012) the nature of the
observation could be accomplished either as:
1. The complete participant is whereby the researcher who is a member of the
group of people under study is involved in the setting and in studying other
group members without their knowledge.
2. The participant as observer is whereby the researcher who is a group
member and who observes other group members with their knowledge.
3. The observer as participant is whereby the researcher who participates in
the social setting under study, but is not a group member.
4. The complete observer is whereby the researcher is able to observe the
setting and group under study without participating, but participants are
unaware of being observed.

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Guidelines in Conducting Observations for Qualitative Research

Before Observation During Observation After Observation

1) Determine what you 1) Observe and take notes
want to observe and
why.
2) Determine whether you
are conducting an
informal (unstructured)
or a formal (structured)
observation.
3) Establish recording
method such as
observation notes.
4) Make sure that you are
allowed or you have
permission to conduct
an observation
otherwise you need to
secure a consent form.
1) Analyze and interpret
• Visit the place you the collected data and
want to get inferences
information from • Make connections
• Be as unobtrusive or between
not noticeable as interactions,
possible responses,
• Take note of certain behaviors, and
behaviors, actions, other phenomena.
words, visuals, and
other observed data
• Date all
observations

Developing an Observation Note

1. Create a table with at least two columns and five rows.

2. Place the following features in the table you just created.

a. Setting/location (Where the observation takes place?)

b. Observer (Who will observe?)

c. Observation/Notes (Take note of behaviors, characteristics, attributes,

actions, words, visuals, and other observable data)

d. Date and Time (The length of time involved in occurrence of some

behavior, number of occurrence of behavior, observation of one subject

during a fixed period of time)

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 Observation Note

Date: Observer:

Setting:

Time Observations/Notes
(Take note of behaviors, characteristics, attributes, actions, words, visuals, and other observable data)

I hope you were able to capture the idea of how to develop

an observation note and how to collect data through

observations. In the next page, some exercises are provided

to help you develop your skills as an observer.

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Developing an Observation Note
Instruction: Look deeply at the picture and study quietly. Observe the shapes,
colors, textures, the position of people and/or objects, etc.

https://assets.weforum.org/editor/responsive_large_webp_Js2d7-Eg1wMWrJL5XJawyPgKsYr98Ren6v18m7MKv6Y.webp

Question:
What are your observations? Write your observations in the table below.

Observation Note

Date: Observer:

Setting:

Time Observations/Notes
(Take note of behaviors, characteristics, attributes, actions, words, visuals, and other observable data)

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 So, how well did you do? I am sure you were
able to develop your own observation notes.
Remember that you can read “Let’s Study this
Part” again in case you want to review it.
Learning how to collect data through observation
can be very useful in finding answers to your
research questions.

1. Observation is one of the tools for collecting data in a variety of situations. It

collects information using your senses to examine people and situations in

natural settings. Hence, it requires a good memory and extensive note-taking.

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2. Observation notes may be useful in documenting what is observed. Consider the
following guidelines before, during, and after conducting an observation.
• Before Observation
o Determine what you want to observe and why.
o Determine whether you are conducting an informal (unstructured) or a
formal (structured) observation.
o Establish recording method such as observation notes.
o Make sure that you are allowed or you have permission to conduct an
observation otherwise you need to secure a consent form.

• During Observation
o Observe and take notes
▪ Visit the place you want to get information from
▪ Be as unobtrusive or not noticeable as possible
▪ Take note of certain behaviors, actions, words, visuals, and
other observed data
▪ Date all observations

• After Observation
o Analyze and interpret the collected data and inferences
▪ Make connections between interactions, responses, behaviors,
and other phenomena.

3. Observation could be accomplished either as the complete participant, the

participant as observer, the observer as participant, and the complete observer.

Instructions:

1. Look around and observe the current situation of your surroundings.

2. Make an observation note.

3. Use the format given below.

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 Observation Note

Date: Observer:

Setting:

Time Observations/Notes
(Take note of behaviors, characteristics, attributes, actions, words, visuals, and other observable data)

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Answer Key
LET’S TRY THIS
Suggested Answers
1. color pencils, a notebook, broken color pencils, papers, cups
2. Some of the color pencils were broken. The notebook is empty. The cups were
empty with stains of coffee or chocolate in it. The papers were crumpled.

LET’S DO THIS
Suggested Answers
1. The restaurant is empty.
2. Paper cut-outs of customers are sitting at tables.

LET’S TEST OURSELVES

Student’s answers may vary.

References:

Cristobal, A.P., & Cristobal, M.D. (2017). Practical research 1 for senior high school.
C & E Publishing, Inc.

Kawulich, B.B. (2012). Collecting data through observation.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257944783_Collecting_data_throug
h_observation/link/5550ba0b08ae739bdb91fa02/download.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Davao City Division

E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City

Telephone: (082) 227 4762

Email Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph

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