Indirect Methods of Research

Are you a people watcher? Do you enjoy sitting in public spaces and observing crowds walking past? You can learn a great deal about people simply by watching them. You can gather information about their likes, dislikes, habits, and behaviors. Social scientists call this indirect observation, and they use it often. When possible, they prefer to observe people without the subjects being aware that they are being watched. People tend to act more naturally in such instances. By observing subjects without their knowledge, social scientists can gather accurate data about human behavior. Other indirect methods of collecting data are also useful to social scientists. Much information can be gathered by reading newspaper or Internet articles, historical documents, and other written sources. Information can be derived from looking at people's possessions or by viewing the contents of their backpacks, purses, or rooms.

These methods of indirect observation and data collection are significant research tools. They also present fewer ethical issues for researchers. Issues of privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent can be avoided when the acquired information cannot be connected to one person. Indirect methods are especially useful when a subject's reactions might interfere with the collection of accurate data or when memory is a factor.

This resource provides instruction for users to:

• Compare and contrast contemporary records, archival and historical records, and physical traces as indirect sources of data
• Use content analysis to extract data from any of the indirect sources
• Use unobtrusive observation in a given scenario
• Describe the relative strengths and limitations of two indirect methods of data collection
• Conduct a literature review for your resource project using the library or other Internet resources
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of evidences used and conclusions drawn in other research