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Evaluation tools

from Aula Permanente,Granada

Brief definition

Observation is one of the most useful techniques in the field of social research. Among its advantages there is the fact that it allows collecting information at the very same natural context in which events develop. It is through Observation that we can study directly social facts with no mediation which might bring some bias in.

Roughly speaking, Observation -as a qualitative research technique-- consists of a balance between participation and observation. Depending on the degree of both -participation and observation-- adopted by the researcher, we might have different versions of this method. In our case, we -in Granada-- have been implementing Observation as follows:

1. IDENTIFICATION: We openly informed from the beginning to the group about the existence of one evaluator responsible, through observation, for the tracking of our whole process. Therefore, the observer/evaluation -one person-- was identified as a member of the group with a different role to play.
2. TECHNICAL DISTANCE: That said, our evaluator has kept as such most of the time, avoiding any interference with the usual work of the group. Even if he could have brought into the group some contribution concerning our research -Lifestyles in Europe--, he has remained as an observer just taking notes to be analysed afterwards.
   

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