Lab: Qualitative Observation

This week we will do a brief qualitative observation of Carman Hall and its surroundings.

Guiding research questions:

• What patterns of interaction or rituals are there in your site?
• What are the "unwritten rules" of the site?
• How is the site socially organized? What groups are there?

You will go to a designated location for between 45 and 60 minutes, observe and take notes (see below). Remember that you need to look at these locations in a different way than you usually would. Look for details of how the space is socially organized and for patterns of behavior and interactions among the people you see in the space.

Your professor may give you specific instructions that differ from these.

Guidelines:

1. Take quick notes while you are doing the observation, if possible, otherwise write up notes immediately afterwards or, if possible, leave the scene every 20 minutes to write the notes. Try sketching a quick map of the area, indicating the major physical locations (chairs, structures etc), where people are located, and where you are located. A quick description of the setting will also be useful. In some cases the physical environment may be an important component of the social organization of what you observe, so you may pay more attention to it.
   
2. In some instances you will want to observe from one location, but in others you may want or need to move around.
   
3. After you have observed for about 15 minutes try to observe in a more focused manner. For example, focus on the interaction between students or between students and faculty, or focus on the relationship betweeen behaviors or interactions and social categories such as gender or race/ethnicity.
   
4. If you haven't been taking notes the whole time, write notes as quickly as possible after leaving the field. If you have been taking notes, make sure that you can read them. Do this while your observation is still fresh in your mind.

After completing an observation of 45 minutes if you go to another building, 60 minutes within Carman Hall, return to the lab.

After looking over your notes you should write a brief document summarizing the experience and what you learned. Try to move beyond just describing the situation to doing a brief sociological analysis. Although this report will not be as elaborate as that for a full scale study, don't forget to include your personal response to the situation.

Hand in both the notes and the write up.

General Notes:

1. If anyone asks what you are doing say that you are doing an assignment for a social research class. Also, assure the person that your report will be read only by the instructor for the class.
   
2. If anyone says that they do not want to be observed, tell them you will not observe them and then move to a different area. Do not observe that person anymore.
   
3. If you feel threatened in anyway, leave immediately and include this in your notes.
   
4. This is an observation assignment, not an interview assignment so do not engage people in conversation except as is absolutely necessary. However, if someone speaks to you, you should, of course, respond politely and appropriately.

Some possible locations (your instructor will assign you to a place).