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Research Methods. Brief Description
Observation research is a specific research method that can be involved in other observational methods. Each particular research method, such as group analysis, experimental and naturalistic methods, interview, and clinical case studies requires the presence of observational information. Observational research is presented in four major dimensions, which are perceived from the observers point of view.
The analyzed project suggests the examination of influence on the friendliness of conversations where my friend is the main participant. Hence, the research may apply theory testing and explore the particular case; then it can be either experimental or naturalistic (conducted in a usual environment). The observation can be also organized and unorganized, participant and non-participant. Observational studies can also imply the analysis of the level of participation, which can depend upon the extent of involvement in the experiment, beginning from the complete participant up to a complete observer (Breakwell 2006). Hence, it is necessary to decide what method would be the best to use in the given research.
Practical Application of Research Methods
Based on the participants everyday observations, it has been concluded that he has a positive impact on the friendliness of conversations. My friend has regularly kept records of rating of the friendliness impact on the 50 conversations. According to the presented data, my friend is a complete participant, as he has directly participated in the conversations. In the study, almost all dimensions of observational research have been presented. My friend has also compiled statistical analysis, his results disclose that:
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75 % of the conversations are rated as rather friendly ;
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20 % of the conversations are estimated as friendly ;
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5% are considered neutral.
Judging upon the results, my friend has a positive influence on the friendliness of the conversation.
In the research, my friend resorted to data collection and its further processing. The outcome of his recording was presented in the form of a statistical analysis that explicitly showed the results. His observations were also based on appropriate behavior, rather than on language and conversation. This means that the main tool of the friends research was specific gestures (smiling and nodding, polite greeting, etc) through which he tried to reach the desired result. Hence, due to the prevalence of behavior and different gestures, my friend also resorted to psychological methods. As a whole, a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis gave the existed results.
According to the results obtained from this scientific study, the effect on friendliness turned out to be positive in 75% of cases. The overall scientific process is of great value for further study, as revealed many psychological questions. For instance, what friendly gestures are best to use when communicating with people? What does friendliness include? How are other ways to achieve the necessary results? All these questions deserve an independent investigation due to the research under the consideration.
Another merit of complete participation lies in the possibility to witness the reaction of the people engaged in the conversation, which is hard to perceive when conducting an isolated investigation.
However, despite the advantages mentioned, the research also has some considerable drawbacks. First of all, as my friend was not a complete observer but a complete participant, the research may contain subjectivity issues so that he may influence the answer of the participants and also use some psychological techniques to achieve positive results. Second, there is no scientific explanation of why the other 25% of the research participants were not completely positive in their answers. This gap is impossible to understand using the methods used by my friend. Hence, it is necessary to admit that the given research can be fully verified as the evidence presented by the researcher is not enough to consider the study evidence-based. However, the recordings held by the research are still the only evidence that can prove that the research is reliable.
To make the research more solid and valid, the research should have been acted as complete observers to maximize the objectivity of the research. Thus, it was necessary to engage a neutral person, who is unknown to any of the participants and to provide an independent observation of the conversations held between the participant chosen and other participants. Then, it would have been desirable to submit the anonymous questionnaire to get the answers independently. More importantly, the questions should not be direct but lead to providing the confidentiality of the research. When gathering the answers, it was necessary to provide an accurate analysis and exclude vague answers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be stressed that observational research has numerous nuances that must be considered properly, including the main aspect of the observation, it level of participation and scientific methods. Despite that the basis element of this study consists in a psychological analysis, specifically in the analysis of the behavior. However, quantitative analysis contributes to presenting a better idea of the results. Finally, it is necessary to admit, that in this particular case, the combination of psychological description and statistical analysis would provide information that is more accurate.
Reference List
Breakwell, G. M. (2006). Research Methods in Psychology. US: SAGE.
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