Techniques Used For Gather Data - 2348 Words

There are a few ways, techniques used to gather data in sociology. For this study, we are utilizing techniques of observation, this was done by going out somewhere, like a mall, and watching what the people around you are doing and the activities that are taking place. My observations took place at the Steeplegate Mall in Concord New Hampshire on a Friday in mid-April around four o’clock. I was shocked by what I saw, the mall was no longer as active as it was when I use to go while I was in middle and high school. Our book states that it was around the 1800’s when social observers started to use scientific methods to test their ideas (Henslin). Now a days most people know what scientific methods are and what they are about, it includes†¦show more content†¦Observations can be done out in the field or in a laboratory setting, this is a field study that we had to do. Strengths and weaknesses of observations can be affected by the locations used, what you are stud ying and how much you are trying to observe, the strengths and weaknesses of the observer will affect it too. A strength of observation is that it is the best way to find out natural behavior of people. If they do not know that they are being watched then they will not act any different, but when someone knows that they are being watched they tend to act differently even if they do not mean to. Some other strengths are directness, being what you have seen for yourself, and that it can happen on your own time. A weakness is that what you think you might be seeing might not be what is actually happening, like someone standing at a checkout counter might not be buying something but just has a question for the person working or maybe they are friends and just wanted to talk. Some more weaknesses are that the data can be biased, observer effect, and can be time consuming or you might have to repeat if mess up somehow. Directness is very important in observation because if it was indirect it would not be what you have seen or heard yourself. It is a strength from not having to rely on someone else, they could decide not to do it and you are waiting for their data or they could tell people what they are doing which would change your