Chapter Seven - Observation

1

What are some of the types of data that can be employed in observational research?

  • Discrete actions or behaviours of the participants
  • Sequences of actions between participants
  • Speech of the participants
  • Expressions of feelings of the participants
  • Context of the observation including the location and setting of the observation
  • Self-reflections of the observer
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2

What is participant observation?

  • It involves a recognition that different understanding can be gained by becoming a participant in the situation of interest
  • The researcher enters into the situation being observed
  • The researcher may play an active part in the situation observed
  • The researcher may include some of their own interactions with the participants as part of the data collected
  • The researcher may include a record of their own experiences as part of the data collected
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3

In what ways does interpretation play a role in observational research?

  • In our initial conceptualisation of what we decide are the relevant research questions
  • Our appraisal of the data collected
  • On-going interpretation of the data as it is collected
  • The linking of our findings to theory
  • Recognition of our personal experiences as shaping our interpretation
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