9. Sociological methods. Observation and documentary method.
Explains the observation method and the documentary method as sociological tools for collecting information on health behaviour. Covers external, internal and self-observation with their advantages and drawbacks, then the types of personal and official documents analysed and the need to assess their reliability. Ends with dental applications such as oral hygiene habits, dental records and NHIF statistics.
Inside: 1 section · 6 flashcards · 2 min
Topic 9 of 38 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Dental Public Health (Dental Medicine, Year 3). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 237 words (2 min of reading), with 6 flashcards.
In this note
Sociological Methods. Observation and Documentary Method
Sociological Methods. Observation and Documentary Method
Sociology
Studies society, human behaviour, opinions, attitudes and social relationships.
In healthcare it helps analyse health behaviour, health awareness and use of health services.
Main Sociological Methods
Inquiry (survey/questionnaire)
Interview
Observation
Documentary method
Social experiment & expert evaluation
Observation Method
Sociological method for collecting information by studying human behaviour under natural conditions.
Types of observation
External observation
Observer remains outside the studied group.
Audio, video or photographic equipment may be used.
Internal observation
Observer participates in group activities while collecting information.
Self-observation
Individual observes and records their own behaviour.
Example: dentist analysing personal work organisation and time management.
Advantages
Studies behaviour in real-life conditions.
Allows repeated observations.
Records actual behaviour rather than reported behaviour.
Disadvantages
Time-consuming.
Observer subjectivity may occur.
Studies present events rather than past events.
Documentary Method
Method of obtaining sociological information through analysis of documents.
Types of documents
Personal documents
Autobiographies
Diaries
Memoirs
Letters
Official documents
Public records
Books
Statistical reports
Photographs
Films
Important principles
Reliability and credibility must be assessed.
Personal documents may contain subjective opinions.
Documents must be selected according to the purpose of the study.
