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observation

ob-zer-VAY-shun /ˌɒbzərˈveɪʃən/

nounB1SATACTIELTS

generalacademicprofessional

The action or process of observing something or someone carefully in order to gain information.

In ethnography, 'participant observation' is the specific technique of watching while also taking part in activities.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'observare', meaning 'to watch over, note, or heed'. It combines 'ob' (before) and 'servare' (to keep/watch). It originally had a sense of 'guarding' or 'keeping' a law, which evolved into 'watching' for scientific purposes.

Word relationships

monitoring: Monitoring often implies a more technical or supervisory role, while observation is more about learning and recording.

neglect: Neglect is the failure to pay attention to something.

Commonly confused with

observance: Observance refers to following a rule or custom (e.g., religious observance), while observation is the act of watching.

Word family

observe (verb): To watch carefully.
observer (noun): A person who watches or notices something.
observational (adjective): Relating to or based on observation.

Collocations

participant observation
direct observation
keen observation
under observation

Example sentences

"Participant observation is the foundation of ethnographic research, requiring the researcher to be both an actor and a witness." Scientific method
"The patient was kept in the hospital for twenty-four hours of observation after the surgery." Medical field

Memory hook

You use your 'eyes' to 'observe' the 'version' of reality in front of you. Observation: Watching to learn.

When not to use

Avoid using it when you are actively interviewing or surveying; it specifically refers to the act of watching.

Fun facts

The 'Hawthorne Effect' is a phenomenon where people change their behavior simply because they know they are under observation.