Dr.Krishnan is going to observe and record children’s playbehaviour at a nursery school without attempting to influence orcontrol the behaviour. Which method of research is involved? Explainthe process and discuss its merits and demerits.

Dr.Krishnan will use non-participant observation methodtoobserve and record children’s play behaviour at a nurseryschool without attempting to influence or control the behaviour. Shewill sit in the corner of the play school and will observe thebehaviour of children, their interaction with other children andteachers, how they play and react to winning and losing. The childrenwill not be aware that they are being observed. Later, she willrecord her observations in a file. She will analyse and conclude itand then try to match her conclusion with the hypothesis.

Meritsof non-participant observation method

Theresearcher observes the people and their behaviour in a naturalisticsituation as it occurs.

Demeritsof non-participant observation method

Thismethod is time taking, labour intensive and vulnerable to theresearcher’s bias. The observations are influenced by thepersonal values and interpretations of the observer.