Participant Observations Workshop Presenter Tanya Maloney Session Goals

Participant Observations Workshop Presenter: Tanya Maloney

Session Goals l l To discuss the purpose of participant observations To learn how to take jottings and write fieldnotes To discuss EHS survey data and decide where and when to conduct participant observations To develop an observation protocol

Participant Observation l Participant-observation involves observing a group of people’s daily lives through participating in their natural setting (Hammersley and Atkinson, 1995, 1 -2). l l There is a continuum from mostly observation to full participation. An inefficient way to produce useful information.

Should I use Participant/Observation? l l Someone has described a process in an interview and you are still unclear about it or want to observe this process first-hand. You want to gain a better understanding of some sort of ritual that is central to your research project. You need to better understand the mood in a particular setting. You want to observe relationships and dynamics between different individuals/groups.

Participant Observation l l Watch a clip from Remember the Titans and write down notes on what you are witnessing – try to pretend as though you are actually in the moment as a participant Compare notes

What should I observe? l l l In many cases this will be obvious because your observations will be directly related to your research questions. In other instances, you may need to observe several events/venues to address your research questions. Participant-observations may make clear to you that your original hypothesis was flawed, and you may need to revise your research questions to more accurately reflect what you are observing.

How should I record what I’m observing? l l l Jottings Fieldnotes Observation Protocol

Jottings vs. Fieldnotes l l Read example of jotting and the full fieldnotes concerning the court hearing on a requested temporary restraining order in a landlordtenant dispute (Emerson, Fretz, & Shaw, 1995, 49 -50). What are the differences between the jottings and the fieldnotes?

Jottings l l l Record fragments of action and talk to serve as focal points so later you can write about the events with a lot of detail Avoid characterizing what people do or making over generalizations (i. e. the judge was “angry”) Jot down sensory details about actions and talk (i. e. he furrowed his eyebrows then, in a louder voice he said, “I don’t just call people on the telephone…”)

Fieldnotes l l l Write in the first person Do not attribute motives Make it clear when there are direct quotes versus paraphrasing Include diagrams when appropriate Include a self reflection about your impressions and initial thoughts as it relates to the question

Observation Protocol l A set of guiding questions that helps you focus your participant-observation and help you decide what notes to jot down

EHS’s Guiding Questions l l l Why are the students hanging out? What are the students doing? What are the students talking about? What type/tone/mood of language is being used? How do you know? What is everyone’s level of engagement in the conversation?

Participant Observation l l Watch a clip from Remember the Titans and use the observation protocol we developed to take jottings Compare jottings

Where & When to do Participant Observations l Library at 7: 30 -8 Clarence l l Library at 9: 30 -10 Blackford before chapel l Blackford before lunch 11: 45 – 12: 15 Jake l Before community meeting 12 pm l Dining hall 6: 30 -7 Cary Sunday Brunch 11: 15 -11: 45 Alessandra Nov. 8 – 20; Nov 30 – Dec. 10 l l