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Independent Training and Research Consultant, The Coach House, Ashmanhaugh, Norfolk, UK
Correspondence:
Anne Mulhall,
The Coach House,
Rectory Road,
Ashmanhaugh,
Norfolk NR12 8YP,
UK.
E-mail: amulhull@gold.u-net.com
Introduction
Observation is used as a research method in two distinct
ways structured and unstructured (Pretzlik 1994). In
positivistic research structured observation is a discrete
activity whose purpose is to record physical and verbal
behaviour. Observation schedules are predetermined using
taxonomies developed from known theory. In contrast,
unstructured observation is used to understand and interpret
cultural behaviour. It is based within the interpretist/contructivist paradigm that acknowledges the importance of
context and the coconstruction of knowledge between
researcher and researched. Structured observation is used
extensively in psychology, and it is from this aspect that many
nurse researchers have adopted the method for their own
studies (see for example, Booth et al. 2001). The principle
characteristics of structured observation and examples
of its use in nursing are summarized by Mulhall (1998).
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Conclusions
To date observation as a method of collecting data in nursing
research has been somewhat undervalued, many nurse
researchers preferring to use interviews. Part of the explanation for this may be the insufficient discussion in the
literature of the problems and dilemmas associated with this
technique. In particular, little has been written about access
to the field and the issues surrounding field notes. Both of
these have practical considerations and theoretical concerns
that require the attention of the researcher. This paper has
discussed these issues.
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