Introduction to Participant- Observation

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

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 1Total 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 1Total immersion: 2Participant-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 1Total immersion: 2Participant-as-observer: 3Observer-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 1Total immersion: 2Participant-as-observer: 3Observer-as participant: 4Complete 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 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

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.