stage in an observation project

Members of group 7:  Trịnh Thị Nha Trang  Lê Thị Tình  Hoàng Thị Việt  Đào Thị Ngà  Trần Thụ Thu Trang  Y Tin Hwing  Observation plays an important role in most research and sometimes it can be the main technique used in a project.  Observation involves looking and recording what is observed. The results of an observation project can be recorded and analysed qualitatively or quantitatively. Looking can be done with naked eye or with the help of equipment, such as still camera or video camera. STAGES IN AN OBSERVATION PROJECT Observation is essentially a simple research method but it calls for precision, painstaking attention to details and patience. The main tasks in devising an observational project are: 1. Choose a site (s). 2. Choose an observation point (s). 3. Choose a time period (s) to cover. 4. Decide whether to observe continuously or to undertake spot counts. 5. If sampling, decide on an observation schedule. 6. Decide what to observe numbers, behavior, etc. 7. Divide site into zones. 8. Design a data recoding. 9. Conduct observation. 10. Analyse results Stage 1: CHOOSE SITE (S)  In some projects, the choice of site may be fixed from the start.  But where there is an element of choice, some time should be devoted to inspecting and choosing sites which will provide suitable conditions for observation.  In choosing an informal space, the local park may be the obvious choice. Stage 2: CHOOSE AN OBSERVATION POINT(S)  Choosing observation points within a site is clearly important and needs to be done with care.  You need to be able to see all of the area from your chosen observation points, but you will not want to be obtrusive or . Stage3: CHOOSE A STUDY TIME PERIOD  The choice of time period is important because of variations in the use of a site, either by:  time of the year (ex: spring, summer, autumn, winter, in the beginning or middle of the year, etc )  day of the week ( all days in a week or every 2 or 3 days)  time of the day (in the morning, in the afternoon, etc )  The time available for your project may limit you to one or two days in a single week, so it must be made clear in writing up the results that levels of use may be different at other times. Stage4: CONTINUOUS OBSERVATION OR SPOT COUNTS? - Continuous counting has the advantage of giving a complete picture of visitors during the course of a day, but it requires a great deal of time, commitment and concentration. Spot counts involve counting the number of people present at particular times. A spot as defined in dictionaries is a small round area that has a different color or feels different from the surface it is on: Which has spots, the leopard or the tiger? This approach is easier since it can be done by one person regardless of the number of the entrances and it provides information on the spatial use of the site at any one time. One person, at specified times makes a circuit of the site and records the number of people present. When qualitative rather than quantitative observation is being undertaken, it is more likely that continuous observation will be adopted since the aim will generally be to observe the dynamics of events and behavior at the site. Careful consideration must still be given to the timing of observation sessions, observations points and so on, but the results of the observation will be a set of notes, rather than numbers, although numbers could come into it. The notes could refer to the social interaction of groups who use a space, any conflicts which arise between groups and any design faults which are apparent. [...].. .Stage 5: DECIDE ON AN OBSERVATION SCHEDULE How often you undertake observations depends to a large extent on the rate of the change in the use of the site Once an hour will generally be sufficient, but if there are rapid changes in the level and type of use of the area , it may be necessary to count more often Stage 6: DECIDE WHAT TO OBSERVE In addition to observing numbers, it is... activity and user characteristics of a limited kind Ex: * Activities: - Chatting - Studying - Walking outside * Characteristics: - Male/Female - Age- group - Size of group - Nature of group (families, friends) Stage 7: DIVIDE SITE INTO ZONES A large area which cannot be seen from one spot, or which has various separate functional areas within it, should be divided into zones for observational purposes and... and data on the number of people and their activities collected for each zone Ex: Stage 8: RECORD DATA The data collected can be for storage, manipulation, and presentation in graphic form using a spreadsheet computer program such as Excel The spatial use of a site can also be recorded directly onto a map using a dot to indicate the presence of a single person or, in a heavily used area, groups of... method, rather than preparing a data recording sheet, it would be necessary to prepare a map Stage 9: CONDUCT THE OBSERVATION If all the necessary preparatory steps have been carried out thoroughly, the actual observation should be straightforward The value of photography as an adjunct to counting should not be overlooked The level of crowding of a site, its nature and atmosphere, can be conveyed to... site, its nature and atmosphere, can be conveyed to the reader of a report with the aid of photographs Particular problems, for instance of erosion, or design faults, can be conveyed better visually than verbally Stage 10: Analysis  The best way to present the information is in a graph . used in a project.  Observation involves looking and recording what is observed. The results of an observation project can be recorded and analysed qualitatively or quantitatively. Looking can. conditions for observation.  In choosing an informal space, the local park may be the obvious choice. Stage 2: CHOOSE AN OBSERVATION POINT(S)  Choosing observation points within a site is. STAGES IN AN OBSERVATION PROJECT Observation is essentially a simple research method but it calls for precision, painstaking attention to details and patience. The main tasks in devising