I have understood that this is a research method. How many types are there?
I would like to know what are the techniques (in case of method) and instruments.
And how would you characterize it in the type of investigation?
I would also like you to cite me, which are the brackets of each instrument? For example, the questionnaire is an instrument of the technique called "survey" and the tangible bracket of this instrument is the paper printed with the bank of questions.
Although the term method and technique are sometimes interchangeably referred, they are not the same, as such, observation is treated more like a technique. A methodology ("how" part of a research), which is the process of achieving answers to research questions, requires methods to follow as well as elaboration of techniques to achieve the same. Specifically to the issue of observation, the following article would be helpful.
http://www.ajhp.org/content/37/9/1235.short
Hello Andrei,
I think that observation is NOT a methodology. It is a part of wide spectrum of methodology (under its umbrella) among other techniques designed to absorb information, data, etc.
Best wishes
Dear Andrei,
I'm agree with Witold, observation is not a methodology per se, it's more technique or method for data collection. However, every method or technique needs to be carefully selected according to the methodology you are using for your investigation. For me, methodology is more than a collection of methods and procedures for studying certain phenomenon, rather it encompasses a set of theoretical underpinnings (or entry points) for understanding which techniques or methods are adequate to assess a given subject of study. So, methods and methodology are intrinsically related, and the use of observations as a technique needs to be justified first within the study's methodological and theoretical approach.
Best, Vicente
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