In addition to interviews, there are many other options for data generation like:
- observation
- field notes
- written documents
- visual data
Observation requires researchers to….to better understand…
- go into the field, or natural setting
- the phenomenon or topic of study
Qualitative study design that typically uses observation to generate data:
ethnography
In observation, researchers will draw upon…
their various senses
Observation usually starts quite ____, and then becomes more ____ as the study progress.
- broadly
- focused
Observations will differ from person to person depending on a number of factors:
- personal experiences
- philosophical worldviews
- interests
In observations, do not worry about observing the ____ ____.
- right thing
- because of our diverse personal experiences, we will observe and record different things
4 forms of observation:
- complete participant
- participant as observer
- observer as participant
- complete observer
Complete participant:
take part in activity or phenomenon under study (essentially a participant)
Participant as observer:
role as researcher is more obvious than “complete participant” whereby active participation and recording notes
Observer as participant:
participation of secondary importance to recording observations
Complete observer:
no interaction with participants (typically no noticed or seen by participants)
2 types of access:
- covert
- overt
Covert:
- researchers “blend in”
- participants are unaware they are being observed
Overt:
participants are aware that they are being observed
There can be ethical issues related to ____ observations. Why?
- covert
- some researchers suggest that deceptive or covert practices are not in keeping with the ethical processes
Benefits of observation in generating data:
- support a deeper understanding of the context
- less preconceptions of setting (you are able to see, hear, etc. what is going on)
- can see what escapes participants’ awareness
- see what is not discussed
Field notes are often used to…
record observations that were made through the various senses
Field notes can also be used to record ____, ____, and _____ that are experienced through _____ or ______.
- feelings
- hunches
- interpretations
- observations
- interviews
Field notes should be recorded in the _____ so as to easily _____ observations or reflections from ______.
- field
- retrieve
- interviews
If observing as a “complete participant”, researchers should try to record their field notes within ______ of leaving the site.
within the hour
4 main components of an observational protocol (template for field notes):
- header
- descriptive notes
- reflective notes
- visual sketch
Header includes:
- descriptive title
- location
- data
- start/end time
Descriptive notes include:
summarizing and describing activities or phenomenon
