1. Direct observation: With the help of human senses, the observed object is directly perceived and described on the spot, so it is intuitive and concrete.
2. Indirect observation: inspection of the observed object by some instrument or other technical means.
1. According to the situational conditions of observation, it can be divided into observation in natural situation and observation in laboratory.
1. Observation in natural situations: objective and true materials can be collected, but the materials are often the external behaviors of the observed objects. Specifically, it includes accidental observation and systematic observation of natural behavior.
2. Observation in the laboratory: careful planning is conducive to exploring the internal causal relationship of things.
Second, it is divided into participatory observation and non-participatory observation according to whether it directly participates in the observed activities.
1. Participatory observation: researchers and subjects are in the same environment together, without revealing their true identities, and conduct hidden research and observation in participating activities. For example, anthropologists go deep into remote areas to study the living habits, customs, religious beliefs, social culture and art of tribes and clans in backward areas.
2. Non-participatory observation: researchers are not required to stand in the same position as the observed object, but as "bystanders", which can be conducted in public or in secret. The conclusion of non-participatory observation may be objective, but it is easy to become superficial and difficult to understand deeply.
Thirdly, according to the methods of observation, it can be divided into structured observation and unstructured observation.
1. Structured observation: With clear objectives, problems and scope, detailed observation plans, steps and reasonably designed controllable observation, detailed materials can be obtained, and the observation data can be quantitatively analyzed and compared. When the subject is fully understood, it is often used.
2. Unstructured observation: adopt a flexible attitude towards the scope and objectives of the research question, the items and steps of observation are not determined in advance, and the required uncontrolled observation is not specifically recorded. The method is flexible, but the material collection department has a complete system, which is mostly used for exploratory research and situations where the observed objects are not well understood.