observation
Let an agent explain observation as a process and its kinds across science, social research and practice, relay methods and standards for systematic observation, discuss theory-ladenness and observer effects with attribution, and route to entries for specific kinds.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain observation as a process and its kinds across science, social research and practice, relay methods and standards for systematic observation, discuss theory-ladenness and observer effects with attribution, and route to entries for specific kinds.
The act of noticing, watching or measuring something carefully to gain information, from everyday noticing to systematic observation in science such as astronomical observation, weather spotting, participant observation in anthropology and the observation of artillery fire in military practice; observation is a foundation of empirical knowledge, is structured by instruments, protocols and theory, and its results are recorded as observations or data.
What it is for: Gaining information by watching and measuring.
It can be explain the concept and kinds; relay methods and standards; discuss philosophical issues; route to specific kinds.
Distinguishing features
Empirical basis
Instrumented or unaided
Structured by protocol
Observer effects
What it looks like
Not a visible object; people or instruments watching, recording and measuring.
How it is recognised
Careful noticing or measuring to gain information
Scientific, social, practical and military kinds
Experiment intervenes; inference draws conclusions; surveillance is observation for control
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
produces - the record
is contrasted with - which intervenes
is studied by - for its role in knowledge
In practice
Families and kinds
scientific observation such as astronomical observation
field observation in ecology and meteorology such as weather spotting
participant and non-participant observation in social research
clinical observation
observation in military practice such as artillery observation, described in general terms
everyday noticing
Standards and regulation
Observation protocols in meteorology and astronomy
Research ethics for observing people
Data recording standards
Failure modes and hazards
Observer bias and effects
Instrument error
Ethical breaches in observing people
Confusing observation with inference
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.observation-communication
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Concept What observation is.
Definition.
Definition
Definition and kinds.
Definition
Definition.
- What is observation, and what kinds exist across fields? definition
- Is the question about observation in general, a specific kind or surveillance? boundary
Distinctions
Observation, experiment, inference.
Distinctions
Distinctions.
- How does observation differ from experiment and inference? definition
- Which entry fits the specific kind? action
Method Methods and standards.
Practice.
Protocols
Protocols.
Protocols
Protocols.
- How are systematic observations structured by protocols and instruments? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Social
Observing people.
Social
Social.
- How is participant observation conducted, and what ethics apply? provenance
- Which entry fits participant observation? action
Theory Philosophy of observation.
Attribution.
Theory-laden
Theory-ladenness.
Theoryladen
Theoryladen.
- What do philosophers say about theory-laden observation, with positions attributed? provenance
- Is the presentation neutral? boundary
Effects
Observer effects.
Effects
Effects.
- What observer effects and biases affect observation, and how are they mitigated? provenance
- Which entry fits observer effect? action
Context Domains and history.
Context.
Domains
Domain examples.
Domains
Domains.
- How do astronomy, meteorology, medicine and military practice organise observation, in general terms? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
History
History.
History
History.
- How did systematic observation develop in the history of science? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of science? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should participant observation and astronomical observation be separate entries?
- How should method references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming kinds and a dawn term; should they be split off?