What Are Two Differences Between Field & Observational Research?
Field research and observational research are very similar in that observations are made and data is collected, but there are two distinct differences between these research methods. A field researcher participates in the study with the subjects, where an observational researcher observes only and cannot become involved in the study. Data collected by a field researchers are thus often qualitative in nature while data collected in observational research are solely quantitative.
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Field Research Participation
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In field research, the researcher is a full participant in the study and the research being conducted. Although this allows the researcher to gain first hand knowledge of what happens in the study, ethical issues can arise in this type of research. The researcher who is also an active participant can consciously or unconsciously affect the study to achieve the results he wants.
Observational Research Participation
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An observational researcher is strictly an observer and often the subjects of the study have no idea the researcher even exits. In this type of research, results are less likely to be affected by researcher interference. However, the researcher who observes what happens from afar can develop a false interpretation of the data collected. She won't have the first hand knowledge a field researcher would develop.
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Field Research is Qualitative
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In field research, the data collected is qualitative, or subjective. The researcher can clearly identify why things happen and can determine ways to improve the processes. A field researcher is invested in the results and can often pinpoint how and why the data collected occurred.
Observational Research is Quantitative
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The observational researcher collects quantitative data. The data collected can be compiled into graphs and charts and the researcher can clearly see how the study worked, but the observational researcher sometimes cannot easily identify the reasons behind the results.
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