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1.6: Objective versus Subjective Observation Evidence

  • Page ID
    42500
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    Intentional teachers must learn how to write objective observations. As you observe, it is best to write down all that you see and hear, and report just the facts. It takes practice to learn how to separate facts from opinions. Here are some helpful tips for you to review:

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Objective Observations vs. Subjective Observations

    Objective Observations

    Subjective Observations

    Objective observations are based on what we observed using our senses, we record exactly what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell

    Subjective observations are often influenced by our past events, personal experiences and opinions, and can be biased based on our cultural backgrounds

    Objective information is based on the facts we gather. If we don’t see it, we don’t report it. We report only details and provide vivid descriptions

    Subjective information is based on our opinions, assumptions, personal beliefs, prejudice feelings or can be based on suspicions, rumors and guesses

    Results are more likely to be valid and reliable from child to child

    Results are often inconsistent and vary from child to child

    Objective Terms that can be Used:

    Seems to be; Appears to

    Subjective Words to Avoid:

    Just; because; but; always, never; can’t; I think; happy, smart, helpful, pretty, angry, shy, likes, loves, hates, sad


    This page titled 1.6: Objective versus Subjective Observation Evidence is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gina Peterson and Emily Elam.