Also, it's very important to define in precise terms exactly what will be observed. Must decide on the variables or units of analysis that are most important. There are essentially five types of recording procedures. List of behaviors and keeps running tally. Provide brief description of behavior over an extended period.
Description is written in chronological order.
Captures natural behavior, cuts out social desirability, response set, and subject effects. Relatively unobtrusive, reliable for low inference observations. Reliability often difficult, can't probe and clarity, contamination, halo effect. Of course, a great deal of information is collected through interviews . Enhance motivation and obtain tough to get at information.