How to Write an Observation Report?

Observation reports can be quite daunting. People dread even the thought of writing an observation paper, let alone doing it. However, it is in your hands to pick an interesting and thought-provoking topic. This type of report requires you to observe people, places, and things along with brushing up your writing and editing skills. Similar to other forms of essays, there are specific steps you need to follow. These steps will ensure that report writing becomes more comfortable for you.

The Task at Hand

First and foremost, your job is to learn about the nature and demand of the task you have to do. Then, use your observational skills to craft the report. Observing does not tell to see and hear. You will be using all your five senses for data collection.

It will include watching scenarios, feeling sensations, listening to sounds, hearing information, and even tasting if it applies. Observe how everything relates to each other and makes sense. You need to dig out background information about the gestalt experience and all the processes involved.

This can be based on anything. How about a chemical process? Or an item in your room? The evolution of seed will make an interesting topic. It is only after understanding the task that you can find a way to move forward. Only then can you find out what you find interesting. It is crucial because a boring topic can hinder your growth.

The Observation Time-frame

Another thing to be concerned about is the timeframe of the observation. Some projects can take up to several months, whereas others might last for only a day. The key to success is to figure out this timespan and schedule this research paper around it. For instance, if you are researching a growing plant, you will have to regularly check up on it. Without knowing the timeframe, utilizing the resources optimally is not possible.

Techniques for Recording Observation

There are various methods you can use for gathering data, but some of the significant ones are listed below:

The Observation Notes

Make a habit of taking field notes. Jot down any changes that you might notice during the time frame you are screening. Write down your observations and impressions. You will be surprised at finding out how easily you can forget little details. This way, you can complete your report with the help of information gathered at each step. It is way more effective than just making some conclusive observations at the end.

The Pictures

Making your report presentable is crucial while learning how to write it. Pictures can enhance your notes and support your analysis with concrete proof. It also is an ideal way to engage the users. With technological advances, there are several ways to utilize this feature. You can get creative and use time-lapse, zoom in or zoom out, make collages. The possibilities are endless! If you are skilled enough, editing skills like photoshopping can take your report to the next level. Never underestimate the power of an image. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Video and Audio Recordings

Recording videos and audio is an effective way to save important details. You have no need to get in the hassle to take out your notebook and pen. Often, while trying to jot down points, you can miss out on small significant details of the scenario going on. This is eliminated while recording a video and there is no chance of skipping on an essential element. Also, you have concrete evidence to back your point. It can help you gather additional insights during this research. With that said, you have to take the consent of the participants beforehand.

Begin the Observation

Since your job is to observe, you have to make a research study on the data collected by careful observation, key findings, and the interpretation of the results. While writing, there are a couple of things you need to do:

• Begin with an in-depth plan about the object you will be observing—also, the location where you will be conducting it and the methodology used throughout the process;
• Never forget to search for the meaning behind the actions that you observed.
• You should have a clear idea if this requires covert or overt behavior in the observation plan and take consent accordingly

Example:

Suppose that you are observing a small group of disabled people. You will be honing and learning their skills. The blind ones are maybe learning the right way to do a body massage. Deaf people are using their hearing ability to learn how to cook via audio recipes. Ask yourself what this scene represents? What does it relate to? What is going on? This can be considered your reflection in this process. This interpretation will be used in the report later.

Writing Your Observation Report

Once the data gathering process is over, the time has come to sit down and craft your observation report. Follow the template below:

Introduction

This part, as the name suggests, requires you to shed light on the subject. Mention the main points that you observed. The place where you made these observations, the time you made these. Also, explain the reason behind choosing that particular topic. This paragraph is the first piece of content the reader will go through. Give the reader a taste of what your report is about. Make it concise yet engaging. It is your chance to grasp their attention. Also, make sure you conclude the first paragraph with a thesis statement. Establishing your case is an excellent way to start.

Body

The body of your report will help form the understanding of the readers and create their knowledge base. They did not get the opportunity to witness the situation first-hand.

The description paragraph in this report is quite similar to that of a news report. The right approach to go about it systematically is to answer the 5 W’s and 1 H of reporting. These include who, what, when, where, why, and how. You have to be careful while using past tense and present tense.

To write the body, make sure that you are highlighting three main points. These points have to be supported with enough evidence. This way, you will be bringing credibility to your work. Treat every paragraph as a mini-essay. Introduce a new sentence. Back it up using strong arguments and close each section with a concluding statement. Also, make sure that all these paragraphs are coherent and make sense with the thesis statement.

Conclusion

This will be the last paragraph of your report. Reinforce the main idea behind your observation. Follow up by stating the report's highlights in your own words and conclude the data gathered in the initial stages. The reader should be able to walk away with some new knowledge regarding your study. End this by explaining the importance of this project and what you aim to do with it.

The Observational Kit

For mastering this skill, build yourself an observational kit. This will help you in keeping all the essentials tools nearby. The assembled kit depends entirely on you and the nature of your project. For traditional documentation, ensure that you have a voice recorder, video camera, notebook, a pen, a phone, and a teammate if possible. This way, you will always be prepared to start documenting even if the situation arises unexpectedly.

Always Take Evidence

For arguing your observations, this part holds immense significance. Especially if you are noting down something that changes rapidly, such as body movements, while preparing your report, make sure you include evidence and samples of these changes. It can be a very robust form of communication with the audience. Besides, creating a multi-sensory experience is an effective way to win over the readers.

The critical advice here would be to make a draft and edit it properly. To score an A in high school, try to present your observations in a fun and unique way. Reading through pages and pages of a book report is not fun for anybody. Make the presentation colorful and attention-grabbing. Include interesting examples and let the pictures do the talking.

Do the Project Yourself

The reason for the report is to observe the changes. It will require you to record the events. You will then be performing an analysis of whatever you have written.

If you use copied work, the chances are that you will be missing out on some critical insights that will, in turn, affect the quality of your paper. Plagiarized content is looked down upon in the realm of academia. You will face serious issues, and your content is most likely going to get rejected. So stay away from such activities and keep your writing 100% original. Also, always proofread your work.

Experiment and See What Happens

To glean useful meaning from the observations, you will have to experiment. During these, you will have to observe and take notes at every single step carefully. Every little or significant change will act as the climax of a movie, which must not be left out. Try to experiment in every possible way. This will require you to make external and internal modifications. Just have fun, and keep covering the aspects from which the experiment can be conducted.

Go out of your comfort zone. It is about observations and, most importantly, "thinking outside the box." If you want to write on a vegetable that is currently growing in your garden, observe it. Start taking notes regarding the appearance-related changes that occur at each step. See what happens when it rains or when you water the plant. The fun fact is that you would be capable of growing your organic veggies in a much effective way by the end of this content!

Interpretation and Analysis

Always use theories while analyzing and interpreting. These theories are the ones that you mentioned in the introductory part of your content. In this way, you will be able to give the process at hand a larger context. So, what will you be analyzing? Remember the notes that you made while changes occurred. Take them out and start studying the noteworthy ones. Give your interpretations and keep connecting the dots to the theories to keep it formal, informative, and detailed.

Keep everything unfolded in this post in your mind so you can ace your report and give your professor a good reason to smile as they cast a glance at your paper. Remember, as in any other case, practice is critical here.