Observation schedule

Before commencing data collection, it is essential to create an observation schedule that outlines the features to be observed and recorded during observations, which can range from quantitative to qualitative. Observation schedules that are more quantitative in nature, often referred to as observation checklists, use predefined categories of variables that can be counted and analyzed statistically. They are employed in structured observational research. On the other hand, observation schedules that are more qualitative serve as flexible guidelines for data collection, listing topics of interest and providing space to record notes on new themes that emerge during observations. Highly structured observation schedules are more appropriate for situations where there is more knowledge about the topic of interest, whereas less structured observation schedules are more effective in situations where there is less information about the research questions.

Before implementation, it is recommended to pretest observation schedules and make necessary modifications (Given, 2008). Observation schedules should include relevant demographic information such as age and gender, the participants' roles in the research setting, the number of individuals present, and details of the physical setting. Later, predetermined categories or notes on observations can be added. Researchers are usually interested in what people say, the meanings they attribute to their words, and the relationships between participants. In more quantitative observation schedules, the categories are explicitly defined, exhaustive, and mutually exclusive, while subjective measures requiring judgment or inference are avoided whenever possible. In contrast, more qualitative observation schedules aim to identify as many emerging themes of interest to the project as possible (Given, 2008).