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.