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Chapter 1 Learning About Children 29
observation also includes observing products
children make, such as artwork or the stories
children dictate or write. Studying test scores is
an indirect observation. Generally speaking, a
researcher can gather more data quickly through
indirect observation than through direct observation.
Although you can learn a lot from indirect
observati ons, such as children’s artwork, you can
learn even more when you observe children mak-
ing these products. For example, by looking at a
drawing, you can easily notice that a child has col-
ored outside the lines. How can you tell if this is
due to lack of motor control, a damaged crayon,
or a rushed coloring job? Only direct observation
will tell you.
Guidelines for Observing
Anyone observing children should follow cer-
tain guidelines (Figure 1.15). These guidelines are
important for several reasons. First, they protect
the rights of the subject and the observer. They
also list proper behaviors you should follow when
visiting a child care center. Finally, these guide-
lines will help you make meaningful and accurate
observations.
Lesson
1.3
Review and Assessment
1. List four benefi ts of studying children.
2. According to Maslow, what types of needs are
included in a person’s basic needs? higher-
level needs?
3. List three of the seven irreducible needs
of children as identifi ed by Brazelton and
Greenspan.
4. What is the primary responsibility of
caseworkers for CPS?
5. Differentiate between direct observation and
indirect observation.
6. Critical thinking. Why do you think direct
observation is the main way to learn about
children?
Observations set in laboratories cannot answer
all questions. For instance, it would be hard for
researchers to know if children really like playing
on a balance beam. Although some information in
this book comes from research in the laboratory
setting, this is not the way you will start observ-
ing. You will begin your observations in the natu-
ral setting, as do all researchers.
Indirect Observations
Although direct observation is the main way
to learn about children, researchers also use other
observation methods to study them. Sometimes
they want to see something in more detail or
check direct observations. One important method
is indirect observation. This may include asking
questions of parents, teachers, or children. Indirect
Figure 1.14 Parks are one natural environment where
direct observation may occur. Why do you think
direct observation must be done in a child’s natural
environment?