1. Direct observation method and indirect observation method
According to the way of observation, survey of education can be divided into direct observation and indirect observation.
Direct observation is a method that relies on human senses to directly perceive the observed object from the observer to the scene, thus obtaining research materials. Its materials are intuitive, concrete and distinctive.
Indirect observation is a method to obtain research data through certain instruments and equipment or other technical means. This type of observation expands the depth and breadth of observation. If we use the normal loss of library materials, we can analyze which books are popular with students; By using the cumulative measurement of library borrowing list, students' reading tendency can be analyzed, and students' reading interest, ideological tendency and other materials can be obtained indirectly.
2. Non-laboratory observation and laboratory observation
According to the characteristics of observation scenes, educational observation can be divided into laboratory observation and non-laboratory observation.
Non-laboratory observation is a method to observe and obtain information in other natural scenes outside the laboratory. It includes all observations of situations without control conditions. For example, the observation of students' natural state in campus, classroom and workplace. This method can collect objective and true external behavior materials of the observed object.
Laboratory observation is a method to observe and obtain materials in the laboratory under the control of related variables. Under the experimental conditions, the relevant conditions affecting the subjects are controlled, and the words and deeds of the subjects will have corresponding reactions, which also need to be observed and perceived by the experimenters. Laboratory observation obeys the characteristics and requirements of experimental methods and belongs to the broad category of educational experimental methods, but it can also be regarded as a type of survey of education method.
2. Participatory observation and non-participatory observation.
This is divided according to whether the observer directly participates in the activities of the observed.
For example, in the research of sociology of education, researchers personally participate in the activities of schools and classes as members of activities, observe the interaction between teachers and students, observe the relationship between teachers and students, student partnership and class culture, which belongs to participatory observation method. Researchers directly participate in the groups and activities of the observed objects, without revealing their true identity, and conduct hidden research and observation in participating activities. Its advantage is that it does not destroy and affect the original structure and internal relationship of the observed object, so it can obtain deeper materials of structure and relationship. However, due to the subjective factors of researchers, improper handling will easily affect the objectivity of observation.
Non-participatory observation is a method in which the observer does not participate in the activities of the observed object, but observes openly or secretly as an outsider to obtain research materials. The materials obtained by this observation method are generally objective, but it is difficult to obtain deep-seated materials.
3. Structured observation and unstructured observation
According to the purpose and planning characteristics of observation, survey of education can be divided into structured observation and unstructured observation.
Structured observation is a controllable observation, with clear observation purpose and scope, detailed observation plan and observation steps. The observation process of this method is well organized, and the materials obtained have high research value, which is generally used for data collection in descriptive research and experimental research.
Unstructured observation is an uncontrolled observation with no definite restrictions on the purpose and scope of observation and no preset observation contents and steps. This method is generally suitable for the research or exploratory research on collective behavior and accidental events, and the materials obtained are generally unsystematic and incomplete.
Each of the above-mentioned educational observation methods has its own characteristics, applicable conditions, advantages and limitations, and plays a specific role in educational and scientific research activities. At the same time, they are interrelated, complementary and interrelated. In the research of educational science, it is often necessary to carry out comprehensive observation and organically combine several related observation methods according to specific conditions in order to obtain valuable observation data.
Finally, it should be pointed out that any observation method will have certain errors. The reasons for this error are subjective ideological factors, knowledge factors, physiological factors and psychological factors, as well as objective human, material and financial constraints.
Survey of education is the basic method of educational scientific research. Through educational investigation, we can find the problems existing in the process of education and teaching, understand the key points of the problems, and find feasible methods to solve the problems. Through actual observation, we can also find out whether the education and teaching measures are appropriate and what changes have been made to students. Educational investigation is an important method of educational scientific research. This chapter will introduce this method in detail from its characteristics, scope of application and problems that should be paid attention to in application.
The intransitive verbs implement the Law of Educational Observation.
1. The basic steps of applying the educational observation method
The implementation of survey of education is a process of observation, analysis and research, which is purposeful, planned and systematic, which is also reflected in unstructured observation. There are many different views on the composition of this process. We believe that the implementation of educational observation method mainly includes the design of educational survey, the implementation of educational survey, the collation and analysis of data and the writing of research reports.
Specific working steps of using observation to carry out research;
(1) Determine the research topic and select the observation object;
(2) Make clear the means and methods of observation and make an observation plan;
(3) Organizing forces to carry out observation activities;
(4) analyzing and sorting out observation data;
(5) Write and modify observation reports and put forward new arguments and theories.
2. The implementation of educational observation law
A) admission
This is an important step in observation. In this link, observers should generally do a good job in three aspects: First, they should hold valid certificates and obtain permission to enter the site. Generally, there should be proof materials or other effective proof documents for the research of the subject, so that the on-site organizers can believe in the legal identity and reasonable research purpose of the observers and are willing to cooperate, so as to avoid the phenomenon of refusal or non-cooperation. For some field observation, the permission of the field organizer may not be needed, but it is best to find an intermediate contact person, which can provide necessary conditions and convenience for entering the field for observation, and also provide relevant information of the observed object. The second is to understand the relevant background information of the observed object, and have a general grasp of the general situation of the observed object before observation. Third, establish a friendly relationship with the observed object, so that they can not only eliminate the strangeness and tension as the observed object, but also be willing to actively cooperate and provide the observers with the necessary real materials.
In addition, observers should also check the function and configuration of auxiliary tools (such as audio and video recording equipment) used for observation and recording to ensure the smooth progress of observation.
B) observation
The implementation of observation is the core link of survey of education's method, and the quality of observation plays a key role in the quality of research and even the success or failure. Ensuring observation quality is the center of observation.
In the process of observation, in addition to following the basic principles of observation, we should also pay attention to the following issues:
(1) Observe as planned as far as possible. The observation plan is the planning of the observation process, and it is generally not appropriate to adjust it at will in the implementation process. Of course, if the conditions change greatly or the plan is found to be deviated during the implementation, it should be adjusted in time.
(2) Choose a suitable observation position. The position of the observer should be selected in a place where the whole site can be well observed without attracting the attention of the observed object, especially in a place where the observed object cannot feel it in the observed state, so as to ensure the authenticity and reliability of the collected materials.
(3) Take appropriate observation methods. One-way perspective screen can be used when conditions permit. When observing in daily activities, observers should pay attention to the factors that attract the attention of the observed object, such as clothing and identity. Generally, before formal observation, the method of increasing the frequency of appearance can be adopted to weaken the attraction to the observed object and make it feel accustomed to the existence of the observer. The observer's clothing should not be too conspicuous, nor should it be recorded in a particularly conspicuous position, so as not to affect the observation effect.
In the process of observation, when using modern instruments and equipment as auxiliary tools, we should try to avoid disturbing the observation site and the observed object, so as not to affect the normal conduct of field activities and the normal performance of the observed object. If possible, observe as quietly as possible.
(4) The observation of objects should be repeated. Observation as the basis of research should not be one-off. In fact, in social science research, the formation of a scientific conclusion is often based on a large number of facts. Therefore, in the research of educational science, we should use observation to study, and we should not try to draw conclusions by accidental observation or one-off observation.
(5) Choose appropriate ways and means. Appropriate observation methods and scientific observation methods are important factors that affect the observation effect. Generally, there are the following observation methods: ① Attend classes. We can study classroom teaching and related topics. Such as studying teachers' teaching methods, teaching skills, students' learning situation, the interaction between teachers and students in teaching situations, and the interaction between students. 2② Attend school meetings as nonvoting delegates. You can study the school's school-running philosophy, management level, teachers' scientific research status, and obligation level. For example, attend the principal's office meeting, school affairs meeting, teacher's lesson preparation meeting and so on. (3) Participating in collective activities in schools can study students' quality development, subject concepts, cooperative spirit and other issues, such as participating in extracurricular cultural and sports activities, scientific and technological activities, interest group activities and so on. 4 visit. You can study the situation of running schools, the regional development of education and the construction of campus culture. For example, visit schools and learn about local education. ⑤ Attend the rally. Such as participating in large-scale activities organized by off-campus educational structures and exhibitions of various educational achievements. , study related issues. ⑥ Observe through daily life. Observe and study related problems in daily life. For example, we can study students' informal groups outside school and their learning situation outside school by observing their daily life.
Scientific observation method is an important guarantee for the success of research. There are various methods of educational investigation, which should be chosen flexibly according to the needs of research. In observation and research, the following factors should be considered when determining the specific observation methods and methods:
First of all, the purpose of the study affects the choice of observation methods. If the purpose of observation and research is to control the reaction of the research object under certain conditions, it is necessary to observe in the laboratory and place a one-way perspective screen as much as possible. If the purpose of the study is to reveal the growth or activities of the subjects in a long period of time, long-term follow-up is needed.
Secondly, the environmental conditions of the observation site have certain influence on the selection of observation methods. Generally, direct observation should be adopted in the field of time and space concentration. If the site space is large, it can be divided into multiple observation groups or supplemented by video recording equipment. If the site is difficult to control, indirect observation can be used.
In addition, the number of observers and the ability to use auxiliary observation methods also have a certain impact on the choice of observation methods.
C) material records
Recording is the key to observation. If there is no true and comprehensive record of the observed materials, then it is futile to organize the observation carefully. Knowing the types of records and mastering scientific recording methods are important guarantees for making records well.
I. Types of records.
Observation records are generally divided into field notes and observation cards. Field notes are descriptive records made by observers on the materials observed on the spot, which are generally divided into four parts: First, a general description of educational phenomena. Generally, it is necessary to make real-time records on site. Some situations are difficult to record immediately, so you can make up for them immediately after the activity and forget them at the same time. In the process of recording, some educational surveys can be identified as different symbols according to needs to speed up the recording, but the symbols should be simple and the number should not be too much. The second is the analysis and preliminary inference of some phenomena and materials. Third, personal initial impressions and feelings. Fourth, the materials and information to be collected in the next step.
Observation card is a standardized recording tool pre-compiled according to research purposes. The design of observation card should be scientific, accurate and easy to record. There are generally two forms in the design of observation cards: one is digital record, which uses numbers to represent the words that may appear in observation; The second is symbol recording, which divides the observed objects into different grades and items, and marks the corresponding symbols in the corresponding positions when a certain phenomenon occurs. No matter which design form is adopted, the recording standards should be unified before recording, so that the observation standards of different personnel tend to be unified as much as possible.
Two. Recording method.
The method of observation and recording is restricted by factors such as observation time and space. There are three common recording methods: one is the evaluation grade method. Record the attitude of the observed object to a phenomenon according to the hierarchy. For example, the appearance of something can be expressed as like, like, general, dislike and dislike, and the participation in an activity can be expressed as very positive, relatively positive, general and inactive. The classification of grades should be scientific and reasonable. When recording, the observer usually marks it with simple symbols in a pre-designed table. Second, the presentation frequency method. The observer records the frequency of a phenomenon. For example, in classroom teaching, students violate discipline or the situation of students in classroom teaching. Usually the observed items are listed in advance and compiled into a table, and the observer can make a symbol mark at the corresponding position to indicate the occurrence of a certain behavior. Third, continuous recording method. Keep a continuous record of field observation. You can use cameras, tape recorders and other auxiliary tools to record.
5. Arrangement and analysis of materials
The original data of observation records should be carefully sorted out and properly preserved. Because the observed data are often complex and scattered, it is more difficult to sort out the data obtained by other research methods.
First of all, the arrangement of observation and recording materials should be timely, that is, completed in time to avoid long-term forgetting. Secondly, classify and file. Classify, arrange and save materials according to standards. Generally, there are two forms of classified filing of observation data: one is to determine different categories according to the research purpose, and organize and save the data according to the categories; The second is to sort out and file according to the sequence of events.
The process of observing the arrangement of materials is also the process of researchers' thinking and analysis, including the value judgment and selection of key, non-key, key and non-key materials, which is the basis of forming research reports.
Step 6 write a research report
According to the research purpose of the subject and the comprehensive, detailed, reliable and rich materials obtained from observation, researchers write research reports on the subject, and analyze or preliminarily explore the essence and development law of an educational phenomenon.