Observation Study

Observation Study

Introduction

In case-study research, an investigator studies an individual who has a rare or unusual condition or who has responded favorably to a new treatment. Case studies are typically clinical in scope. The investi- gator often a physician, psychologist, social worker, counselor, or educator—interviews the subject, obtains background records, and administers questionnaires to acquire quantifiable data on the subject. A comprehensive case study can last months or years. Throughout the duration of the case study, the researcher documents the condition, treatment, and effects in relation to each patient and summarizes all of this information in individual case reports. A typical case report follows this format:

Presenting problem: The condition or problem.

Case history: A brief social history pertinent to the client's presenting problem.

Treatment: A description of the treatment process, including details from each session.

Results of treatment: A description of treatment effects, if any.

Follow-up: A description of the long-term treatment effects, if any.

Discussion

Although case studies are valuable for obtaining useful information about individuals and rare conditions, they tend to focus on the pathology—the characteristics and effects of a particular disease—and are therefore applicable only to individuals with similar conditions rather than to the general population.

Survey research

Survey research involves interviewing or administering questionnaires or written surveys to large numbers of people. The investigator analyzes the data obtained from surveys to learn about similarities, differences, and trends, and then makes predictions about the population being studied. Advantages of survey research include the great amount of information the researcher can obtain from the large number of respondents, the convenience for respondents of taking a written survey, and the low cost of acquiring and processing data. Mail-in surveys have the added advantage of ensuring anonymity and thus prompting respondents to answer questions truthfully.

Disadvantages of survey research include volunteer bias, interviewer bias, and distortion. Volunteer bias occurs when a sample of volunteers is not representative of the general population. Subjects who are willing to talk about certain topics may answer surveys differently than those who are not. Interviewer bias occurs when an interviewer's expectations or insignificant gestures (such as frowning or smiling) inadvertently influence a subject's responses one way or the other. Distortion occurs when a subject does not respond honestly to questions.

Observational research

Because distortion can be a serious limitation of survey research, scientists may choose to observe subjects' behavior directly through observational research. Observational research takes place in either a laboratory (laboratory observation) or a natural setting ...