Introduction to Participant- Observation
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Introduction to Participant- Observation
A definition
A definition
“Describing and interpreting the observable relationships between social practices and systems of meaning, based upon “firsthand experience and exploration” of a particular cultural setting” (Lindlof & Taylor, 2011, p. 134).
A definition
Experiencing and recording events in social settings to lean about how specific communicative rituals make, maintain, repair, and/or transform the culture.
The spectrum of roles
The spectrum of roles
• A participant-observation requires some degree of immersion into the site with the researcher playing a role somewhere in between complete immersion and detached observation
The spectrum of roles
1 Total immersion: Full participation in the group, while working like an undercover agent hiding your identity as a researcher. (down side is that it is hard not to blow your cover and may be unethical)– Not recommended
The spectrum of roles
1 Total immersion:2 Participant-as-observer: mixed status/role
that starts as a participant in the group, while openly acknowledging the research interests. This is ideal for studying a group for which you are already an insider.
The spectrum of roles
1 Total immersion:2 Participant-as-observer:3 Observer-as participant: Another mixed
status/role, but here the researcher is more primarily committed to the research participates somewhat less regularly. It is clear you are entering the group for research purposes, though you do help/participate/engage.
The spectrum of roles
1 Total immersion:2 Participant-as-observer:3 Observer-as participant:4 Complete observer: Here the researcher
observes the group remotely and with little interaction. The researcher’s identity/presence is minimized. Only appropriate for public settings with free access and anonymity.
Field Notes
The big questions
Participant-observers get into the scene and attempt to find answers to basic questions about the rituals that drive the culture.
The big questions
Participant-observers get into the scene and attempt to find answers to basic questions about the rituals that drive the culture.
Consider who, what, where, when, and especially how
The big questions
Participant-observers get into the scene and attempt to find answers to basic questions about the rituals that drive the culture.
Consider who, what, where, when, and especially how… don’t try to explain WHY just yet!
The big questions
If you notice that - skateboarders and bmx riders clash at the
park
The big questions
If you notice that - skateboarders and bmx riders clash at the
park- Students use headphones for a variety of
different social reasons (beyond just listening to music
The big questions
If you notice that - skateboarders and bmx riders clash at the park- Students use headphones for a variety of
different social reasons (beyond just listening to music
- There is some persistent sexual or gender discrimination at the workplace
The big questions
If you notice that - skateboarders and bmx riders clash at the park- Students use headphones for a variety of different
social reasons (beyond just listening to music- There is some persistent sexual or gender
discrimination at the workplace- Librarians find ways to do emotional counseling in
the teen reading wing
The big questions
If you notice that - skateboarders and bmx riders clash at the park- Students use headphones for a variety of different social
reasons (beyond just listening to music- There is some persistent sexual or gender discrimination
at the workplace- Librarians find ways to do emotional counseling in the
teen reading wing- Parents display various kinds of power at youth sports
games
The big questions
If you notice something… ask and try to demonstrate
HOW
The big questions
If you notice something… ask and try to demonstrate
HOW…are these identities and meanings enacted and performed
Field notes
Field notes
Field notes are the main written text of participant observation
Field notes
Field notes are the main written text of participant observation
They should be written immediately after the observation while the ideas are fresh
Field notes
Field notes are the main written text of participant observation
They should be written immediately after the observation while the ideas are fresh
Use scratch notes, memories, photographs, recordings, or anything else to build the field note record
Field notes
Field notes are the main written text of participant observation
They should be written immediately after the observation while the ideas are fresh
Use scratch notes, memories, photographs, recordings, or anything else to build the field note record
Experts recommend 10 typed pages for each hour of observation!
Field notes
Field notes
Describe the multi-sensory world: sight, sound, smells, taste, touch
Field notes
Describe the multi-sensory world: sight, sound, smells, taste, touch
Note the material scene as well as the interpersonal interactions
Field notes
Again…the big question is—how do the roles and practices that make up this culture get enacted and performed.
Field notes
Note: your own experiences in the scene are part of the story--
Field notes
Note: your own experiences in the scene are part of the story—
You learn how the culture works by working in it (and you can learn a lot by making ritual mistakes)
Field notes
Approaches:
Field notes
Approaches:
1. Sketch a scene like a verbal photograph grasping all the detail you can about the place and people.
Field notes
Approaches:
1. Sketch a scene like a verbal photograph grasping all the detail you can about the place and people.
2. Recount an episode and how it unfolded in time
Field notes
Approaches:
1. Sketch a scene like a verbal photograph grasping all the detail you can about the place and people.
2. Recount an episode and how it unfolded in time
3. Experiment with point of view (first person, second person, third person)
Participant Observation
The goal is to learn about a culture by making the familiar seem strange and the strange seem familiar.
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