The article “Multi-method systematic observation: theory and practice” is written by Marroun and Young and published in the “Collaborative Research Design” issue in 2018. It discusses the role of observation in the research process and problem statement. The approach is essential to collect information and sort what is necessary to develop a thesis statement to work with through the study. Observation is the process of gathering data from the examined subjects and expanding the knowledge about them (Marroun & Young, 2018). It can be applied in many sciences, from chemistry to sociology, because of its practical value. Marroun and Young (2018) claim that “systematic methods of observation allow nuanced and accurate information about behavioral processes to be collected” (p. 196). The article provides a theoretical background of the technique’s application and includes an example of its systematic appliance in collaborative research.
The authors reveal that the multidisciplinary observation can be applied systematically by combining existing pieces of data and examining the outcomes. The strategy is crucial for the thesis or problem statement of any research because it narrows the topic and helps identify an issue that must be addressed (Marroun & Young, 2018). Multi-method systematic observation is applied as an example where the information collected via different tools and overseen to discover and criticize patterns or problems for examination (Marroun & Young, 2018). It is crucial for any research to contain a reliable and verified database to narrow and clarify the thesis and then choose approaches necessary for further studying. The article discusses the forms of observation based on the type of information required to retrieve, explains the observer’s role, and provides techniques to capture the data. Although the example is based on critical research, the description of observational tools can be utilized in other scientific work types.
Reference
Marroun, S., & Young, L. (2018). Multi-method systematic observation: theory and practice. In Collaborative Research Design (pp. 195-221). Springer, Singapore. Web.