Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Observation is a fundamental method employed in descriptive research, which is aimed at providing a comprehensive portrayal of a phenomenon or population without manipulating any variables. In descriptive research, data is collected to describe characteristics, behaviors, or conditions as they naturally occur. This type of research seeks to gather information in a way that allows for the understanding of patterns or trends without causal inference being the primary goal.

Observation allows researchers to collect qualitative and quantitative data in real-time settings. This can encompass various techniques such as direct observation of behavior, recording details of circumstances, and examining how subjects interact in their natural environments. These observations provide a foundational basis for understanding the context of the data collected and enable researchers to describe what is occurring within a specific situation or population.

In contrast, other research types like correlational, evaluation, and experimental research have different goals that may not prioritize pure observational methods in the same way. Correlational research examines relationships between variables, evaluation research focuses on assessing the effectiveness of programs or interventions, and experimental research involves manipulating variables to determine causal relationships. Each of these approaches may include observational elements, but they are not primarily defined by them as descriptive research is.