Discuss considerations involved in setting up and carrying out an observation (for example, audience effect, Hawthorne effect, disclosure)
Consideration in preparation and setting up:
1. find out about the problem under investigation and set up a plan (make necessary arrangement) for observations
2. became familiar with the setting before starting observations
3. make decisions on what kind of notes to make during observations
4. be aware of their own position (their opinions on different matter and their perspective might influence the result)
5. if recording devices are used, make sure the recording devices are working
Considerations when carrying out observation:
1. always be aware of ethical rules of conduct
2. make sure researcher objectivity is preserved
e.g. in participant observation, it is important to be involved in the setting and with the people while staying analytical, so that data collection is not influenced by selective perception
3. field notes must be rich, thick, descriptive and very detailed at all stages of the observation
4. participant expectancy (aka reactivity) and researcher bias should be acknowledged and improved by credibility checks
Considerations after observations:
1. participants must be debriefed
2. data analysis is then carried out
1. find out about the problem under investigation and set up a plan (make necessary arrangement) for observations
- the need to contact people?
- participant or non-participant?
- overt or covert?
- naturalistic or controlled?
2. became familiar with the setting before starting observations
3. make decisions on what kind of notes to make during observations
- descriptive?
- inferential?
- evaluative?
4. be aware of their own position (their opinions on different matter and their perspective might influence the result)
5. if recording devices are used, make sure the recording devices are working
Considerations when carrying out observation:
1. always be aware of ethical rules of conduct
2. make sure researcher objectivity is preserved
e.g. in participant observation, it is important to be involved in the setting and with the people while staying analytical, so that data collection is not influenced by selective perception
3. field notes must be rich, thick, descriptive and very detailed at all stages of the observation
4. participant expectancy (aka reactivity) and researcher bias should be acknowledged and improved by credibility checks
Considerations after observations:
1. participants must be debriefed
2. data analysis is then carried out