Order InstructionsParticipant observation is a method of research in the social sciences. An investigator studies the life of a group by sharing in its activities. That is, the investigator participates within the area they are observing and from which the data will be gathered. (DeWalt & DeWalt, 2010). Participant observation is foundational to the field of qualitative research known as ethnography. This process is the opposite of observing a phenomenon from the outside, making sure you do not influence or interact with the people or system you are studying. A participant observer is just that: an observer who is also a participant. You will be a participant observer in this week. Everyone you meet has a story. Every place you go tells a tale. Are you listening?
In preparation for your participant observation, complete this week’s assigned readings and download and read the Week 5 Assignment Handout: Participant Observation Guidelines, which will guide your efforts for this assignment.
In addition, review the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ article “Statistical Language—Quantitative and Qualitative Data,” a Learning Resource you read in Week 4. Select a public place in which to conduct your participant observations, such as a local coffee shop, diner/restaurant, youth sports field, grocery store, gas station, group public transportation (bus, train, or subway), or amusement park. Consider the types of qualitative and quantitative data you are likely to gather in this location.
Conduct your participant observation by spending at least 45 minutes in the public place you selected.
Do three things with your observations:
Create categories of what you find interesting and salient to observe and record.Collect numerical data (e.g., how many individuals drink coffee instead of another drink, how many individuals enter the coffee shop alone versus how many enter with another person).Collect data that does not strictly fit within numerical categories (e.g., ambiance, customer reactions, cordial staff interactions)
Submit a minimum 5- to 6-slide presentation that includes:
A summary and comparison of the quantitative and qualitative results of your participant observationsYour interpretations of the data you collected (e.g., a trend or reoccurring event)At least one visual tool that presents data (see Hyerle’s Visual Tools for Transforming Information Into Knowledge for possibilities)An evaluation of the benefits of both quantitative and qualitative data collection during participant observations
Hyerle, D. (2009). Visual tools for transforming information into knowledge (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:Corwin Press.Chapter 6, “Conceptual Mapping for Integrating Creative and Analytical Thinking” (pp. 91–114)Chapter 7, “Thinking Maps: A Synthesis Language of Visual Tools” (pp. 115–144)Chapter 8, “Thinking Maps for Special Needs” (pp. 145–158)Watzlawick, P. (1993). The situation is hopeless, but not serious: The pursuit of unhappiness. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.Chapter 6, “Chasing Away the Elephants” (pp. 53–57)Chapter 7, “Self-Fulfilling Prophecies” (pp. 59–63)Chapter 8, “Beware of Arriving” (pp. 65–71)Chapter 9, “If You Really Loved Me, You Would Like Garlic” (pp. 73–85)Chapter 10, “‘Be Spontaneous!’“ (pp. 87–94)Chapter 11, “Why Would Anybody Love Me?” (pp. 95–100)Chapter 12, “The Traps of Helping” (pp. 101–109)Australian Bureau of Statistics. (n.d.). Statistical language—Quantitative and qualitative data Links to an external site.. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/a3121120.nsf/home/statistical+language+-+quantitative+and+qualitative+data
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