Indirect Observation

Indirect Observation: Indirect observation is meant to study the past behaviour. This is possible with the help of past records, films, photographs, etc. Films are frequently used to study past behaviour of shoppers, etc. In indirect observation, some record of past behaviour is observed. Here, the behaviour itself is not observed, but its effects are observed. In indirect observation, the observer looks for physical traces of behaviour or occurrence of an event. For example, in order to find out liquor consumption in a household, an observer would like study the empty liquor bottles in the garbage. The success of indirect observation depends on how best the observer is able to identify physical traces of the problem under study. Direct observation is very common than indirect observation.