The so-called observation method refers to a scientific research method in which people systematically investigate the objective things in the natural state through the senses and auxiliary instruments in a purposeful and planned way to obtain empirical facts.

"Observing" means looking, while "observing" means analyzing and studying. It is a purposeful and conscious perceptual cognitive activity, which belongs to the category of cognitive theory. The main feature is that under the condition of emphasizing "spontaneous occurrence", there is no intervention or control on the observed object.

Observation in a broad sense refers to daily observation, that is, researchers obtain perceptual materials about the research object through personal feelings or experiences.

There is also scientific observation, in which the researcher makes a clear choice on the scope, conditions and methods of the observed object according to the predetermined plan, directly observes the external conditions such as the speech and behavior of the studied object under natural conditions, and collects and analyzes the factual materials, so as to understand the problem more deeply.

Observation in educational research belongs to scientific observation, which has three basic characteristics:

1. Purpose. Observation is carried out to solve a problem according to the needs of the research topic.

2. Objectivity. Researchers do not interfere with the activities of subjects, and collect first-hand information objectively and truly.

3. initiative. As a research and education investigation, who asked him to play the negative role was carried out in accordance with the outline and procedures formulated in advance, and the time and content of observation were stipulated. It is to select typical objects and typical conditions from a large number of educational phenomena, strive to fully grasp the various attributes of the research objects, and analyze, judge and understand the observation results with scientific theories.