Ways of Writing An Observation Report
Your classes may require you to do many reports. One of them is making observation reports. Observation reports can help you hone your skills if you’re planning to be a writer. But what is an observation report? This type of report not only does require you to just observe things, people, or places; it also allows you the opportunity to practice writing and editing about anything you have observed. However, like any other report, there are steps to be followed and if that is followed, will make the task of writing an observation paper much easier and quicker. You may also see project report examples & samples
Observation Report Examples
Classroom Observation Report Template
School Classroom Observation Report Template
Sample Classroom Observation Report Template
Teacher Classroom Observation Report Template
Kindergarten Classroom Observation Report Template
1. What to observe?
To write an observation paper you must first, of course, observe. Remember that observation is more than just seeing and hearing. You should use your senses– you will be listening sounds, smelling scents, feeling sensations, watching scenarios and even tasting food if this applies. Do more than just observe little things. Observe the way everything works together, the processes involved, and the total gestalt experience. You may also like management report examples
2. Begin the observation
Since your task is to observe, your responsibility is to create a research study based on data by designing a specific study, careful observation, a combination of key findings, and an interpretation of their meaning. When writing an observation report you need to do the following:
- Begin your field study with a detailed plan about what you will be observing, where you will conduct your observations, and the methods you will use for collecting and recording your data.
- Always look for the meaning of the actions you observe. You may also check out formal report examples & samples
Example:
You will be observing a group of people with disabilities, learning and honing their skills. You will see them engaging on different activities that help improve their skills. The blind people may be learning how to do a body massage. The deaf are learning to cook through reading recipes. Then ask yourself these types of questions: What’s going on here? What does this observed activity mean? What else does this relate to? This will be your own reflection in the process of your observation. Your reflection can be used as an analysis for your report later on. You may also see consulting report examples
- Don’t just record your observation randomly or without a plan on what do. You must be focused and pay attention to every detail. Go to the place where you will conduct your observation with a clear plan about what you are intending to observe and record while preparing yourself to adjust to changing circumstances as they are likely to arise. You may also like sample activity reports
3. Recording your observation
Focus on what is going on, but also take careful notes as possible. A good way to take notes is to try to absorb everything you’ve seen, heard, felt, tasted, and smelt then write it down or record it right away. This will make your observation much more accurate that you’ve written it right away rather than setting it aside to do it later. You don’t need to write in your best handwriting while writing notes, just make sure you can read it later for future reference. Do not worry about making them look perfect. Just make your notes as complete as possible. You may also check out quality report examples
Example:
Observe a class of middle school students. Observe how each of them, how they listen to their instructor and how they apply their learning in their lab experiment if your study involves how students individually apply their learning on the application process. That way, you are already familiar with the actual project you are about to embark and you’ll be glad you practiced beforehand. You may also see examples of short report
4. Techniques to record your observation
Although you can use different types of data gathering techniques, but if you’re unsure what to technique to apply; you can apply some of the methods listed below:
Note Taking
This is the most commonly used, oldest, and the easiest method to do when recording your observations. Here are some tips for taking effective notes: use many small paragraphs that reflect changes in activities, who is talking, what are the different noises, etc.,. Leave some space on the page (probably at the bottom of every page) so you can write down additional thoughts and ideas, insights about what’s being observed, and notes to yourself that will be set aside for further investigation. You may also like monthly report examples & samples
Photography
Now that we are in the digital age where phones are equipped with cameras; you can now take pictures anytime and anywhere. Lots of cheaper high-quality cameras are available in the market and can be obtained by people easily today compared to the past decades. Photographs can help capture an important moment as well as document details about the place where you conduct your observation. You may also check out marketing report examples
Video and Audio Recordings
This can be particularly helpful as you gather additional information or insights during your research. If you’re planning to record a video or an a in the place where you will conduct your research, make sure you ask permission before starting to do so. You may also see examples of business report
5. Writing your observation report
Now that you’re done with your observation/ gathering of your data, its time to sit down and write down your observation report. Below is the format on how you will write your report.
Introduction
Begin your paper with an introduction to the subject. Talk about what you observed, where you observed it, when you observed it and why you chose this topic and other information you can think to include. The introduction should ready up the topic, giving the reader an overview of what is your subject and context of your observation. You may also like technical report examples & samples
Body
Your readers’ understanding and knowledge of what happened will come from the body of your simple report because obviously, they were not present in the situation or seen the event that you are writing about. Given this, it is crucial that you provide sufficient details to put your analysis that will follow the proper context. Don’t just provide a description without context. The description section of a field report is similar to a news report. Therefore, a helpful approach to systematically describe the aspects of an observed situation is to answer the “Five W’s of Investigative Reporting.”
Example (what):
As a teacher, what is your impression of the application of iPads or tablets as a learning device in a classes?
As a journalist, what is your impression of reporting news on the spot through websites and social media rather than the traditional broadcast and print?
Example (where):
The arrangement of computers in relation to student engagement with the teacher.
The internet or wi-fi speed of a certain place where journalists report their news.
Example (when):
Observing the ability of teachers to re-engage students after coming back from an emergency such as a minor earthquake.
Observing the ability of journalists to quote their sources in tweeting or posting on social media sites while listening to their sources talk. You may also check out investigation report samples and examples
Example (who):
Most of the female students participated in the class while the males are chatting with their mates. The class supposedly has 35 students, but there were only 28 who were present today.
Example (why):
Most journalists from the print companies were the ones asking lots of question to the sources. Some of the sources were accommodating; answering every question being asked; while 2 of them merely made a sound. You may also see Status Report Examples
Interpretation and Analysis
Always put the analysis and interpretations of your observations within the larger context of the theories and issues you described in the introduction. Part of your responsibility in analyzing the data is to determine which observations are worthy of comment and interpretation. You may also like free report examples & samples
You need to demonstrate to the reader that you are looking at the situation through the eyes of an informed viewer, not just as a random viewer. Don’t forget to base your interpretations on what you actually observed. Do not speculate or manipulate your data to fit into your study. You may also check out visit report examples & samples
6. Do the summary
When you’re done writing your report, conclude it with a summary of what you saw. You can also draw some conclusions about what you think about your observation. Explain what observations mean to you and what they might mean to the potential reader. Combine everything together in a concise paragraph.
7. Edit and proofread
When you’re done with your report, proofread and edit your paper carefully. You should edit for content shortcomings, grammar errors, lack of clarity and spelling mistakes. Read the paper over very carefully. You can even ask someone to proofread it for you. Make sure that the paper makes sense and it clearly expresses what you are trying to say. You may also see performance report examples
So that’s it. You are now ready to hand that paper to your professor now that you know how to write an observation report. It’s one good way of practicing a new skill and it will help enhance your observational skills that will help you later on. So start writing. Start observing. You may also like service report examples