Unobtrusive Measures In Research

In 1966, Webb Cambell and Sechrest, coined the term ‘unobtrusive measures’ Unobtrusive measures are ‘non-reactive’. Authors described methodologies which do not involve direct elicitation of data from the research subjects. This can lead the respondents to change his/her attitude. For instance, a questionnaire is an interruption in the natural behavior. Webb stresses that social researchers should be physically present .Respondents find hectic if they are ask to fill the survey. They seek an indirect way to obtain the necessary data. (The evidence people leave behind them in various ways as they traverse their physical environment). In other words, question about their experience, mind-set and belief may be addressed just as efficiently by

The researcher can collect the data without any formal measurement procedure.

The kind of indirect measures are limited so these are available only by the researcher's imagination and originality. For example, a researcher has to determine the popularity of diverse exhibits in a museum. It might be probable to set some sort of mechanical measurement system which is not visible to the museum customers. In another study, the system was simple. The museum installed new floor tiles in front of each exhibit they wanted a measurement on and, they measured the wear-and-tear of the tiles as an indirect measure of patron. We may be able to develop on this approach significantly using electronic measures.

One of the preferred indirect measures used by the researchers occurred in the study of a radio station`s customers listening preferences. Instead of conducting any obtrusive survey or interview etc about their choice, the researchers went to local auto dealers and garages and checked all cars to see what station the radio was presently tuned to. In a similar manner, if a researcher wants to know magazine preferences, he/she may investigate in through the

Usually this data is stored electronically which is accessible and can be analyzed by a researcher.

Available data for secondary analysis is:

• Crime records

• Consumer data

• Standardized testing data

• Economic data

• Census bureau data

Secondary analysis usually involves the integrating information accessed from several databases to look at research questions. For example, a researcher may access the information from crime data database to assess criminal behavior.

Secondary analysis has so many trump cards. It is systematic and secondary. It is the research corresponding of recycling. It usually allows a researcher to expand the scope of his/her study significantly. In many small research projects the researchers usually prefer to go with the secondary data than to create the primary one because it will cost them.

The secondary analysis has its own difficulties. To access and link the data from large complex databases is not an easy matter. Many times the researcher has to create assumption about the data, and the variables. Perhaps more importantly, when a researcher uses the secondary data he/she often not familiar about the problems has occurred in the collection of the data when it was