Observational Techniques Complete Observer More Observer as Participant

Observational Techniques Complete Observer More Observer as Participant Structure Participant Observer Complete Participant Less

Observational Techniques Covert Procedures: Complete Observer Structured, typically involving lab instrumentation and hardware Complete Participant Unstructured, typically involving narrative and ethnography Overt Procedures: Observer as Participant Semi-structured, typically involving knowledge of majority Participant Observer Semi-structured, typically involving knowledge of only key people

Observational Techniques Structured Unstructured Covert Complete Observation Complete Participation Overt Observer as Participant Observer

Complete Observation and Observer as Participant Example Bales Interaction Process Analyzer Technique for analyzing consensus building in group discussion. Started with Bale’s jury study and evolved into general group dynamics. Utilizes box with paper roller; verbal utterances charted by type response

Participant Observation and Complete Participation Example Lofland’s Analyzing Social Settings I Setting Determination of the place where the acts and activities occur--both physical and social environments. Includes the relationship between time and place. II Acts Behavior of relatively short duration carried out by the individual actor. Involves discrete pieces of behavior III Activities Behavior of longer duration carried out by the collectively and encompassing a wide range of individual acts.

Participant Observation and Complete Participation (cont. ) IV Meanings Actor’s verbal interpretation of the acts and activities as a unit of analysis. Told by the actor, not interpreted by the researcher. V Participation Patterns of individual style in carrying out acts and activities. Focus is on the individual’s interpretation of their involvement by dress, demeanor or verbal style VI Relationships Patterns of interactions between participants creating styles of activities. Emphasis is on the interaction of participation styles.