Download Participant Observation

Participant Observation
- An important complementary tool to interviewing, especially in understanding the
context of what people say in the interviews
- Essential in checking and evaluating key-informant data
- It was found out by anthropologists that one can get more information by using
participant observation i.e., participating in the native's activities
- Rationale is to see and interpret the world from the people's perspective through
intensive interaction (ket yammeich)
- On the other hand, participant observation shouldn’t become manipulative in the
sense that you participate in a community's activities only to extract information.
Two Purposes:
- To engage in activities appropriate to the situation
- To observe the activities, people and physical aspects of the situation
Difference between ordinary participant and participant observer
Ordinary Participant
Participant Observer
Subjective manner (outsider)
Outsider and insider (alternatively)
Often takes experience for granted
Introspective
Culturally sensitive
Almost never records details of routine
Records what he/she observes in a more
activities
systematic manner. Memory cannot be trusted
Types of Participation
Passive – participant observer is at the scene of action but does not participate or interact
with the people involved. He/She is merely a "bystander or spectator".
Active – do what other people are doing not merely to gain acceptance but to more fully learn
the cultural rules for behaviour.
What type to use depends on the situation and the researcher should be sensitive enough to
know when to use what kind of participant observation.
Context Drawing
- Human interaction always takes place in a certain setting.
- An ethnographic session always aims to answer the following questions, in relation to
topic of research
thinking
WHO is
saying
WHAT to WHOM
and WHY?
doing
Thinking, saying, doing are separated because what people say they do may not be
necessarily the same thing that they actually do.
" Let me help"
Easier analogy for Contextualizing
"Greetings to different people"
"Clothes we wear"
The outcome on the use of the ethnographic techniques depends on the personal qualities
and character of the ethnographer. Some are key observers while others fail to notice details.
Others have no difficulty in relating with people while others have difficulty adapting to new
situations. RESEARCHERS need to be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and
maximize them to her/his advantage.
Sources:
Campbell. O. et al
1999
Social Science methods for research on reproductive health. UNDP/UNFPA/World Bank Special
Programme of Research. WHO
Hardon, A. et al
2000
Applied Health Research Manual on Anthropology of Health and Health Care. 3rd Edition. Het Spinuis
Publishers, The Netherlands
Pelto, P.J. and Pelto. P.H>
1999 Anthropological Research. The structure of inquiry. 2nd edition (Digital Reprinting), Cambridge University
Press
How to improve skills in participant observation:
1. Observe and record small events
2. From reviewing the records one can discover observational biases – this will arouse
awareness of ones own biases
3. While reviewing one can start becoming more systematic in writing the information
Ethnographic Recording
- It consists of field notes, audio or video tape recordings, photographs, artifacts
(material objects) and any other documents.
- From among these, Field Notes form the core of ethnographic record.
- Field notes record observations, conversations, interpretations and suggestions for
future information to be gathered.
Some pointers on field notes taking/writing:
What to write in field notes
- Primarily observations of the events, activities
- Records of interviews
- Materials copied from other documents such as books and journals
- Write up of experiences, feelings, reservations, additional questions arising out of the
fieldwork including mistakes
When to write field notes
- Observe whether it is appropriate to write field notes or not particularly during solemn
events. It is more useful to do field notes as soon as it is convenient and proper.
How to write field notes
- Notes are not necessarily detailed but should contain enough substantial information
that will help in writing a report later.
- It is best to record observation simply as "The informant said that….."
- The other way to do is to write quotations – what people actually said
- In writing observations, fieldworker should be aware enough to write it as he/she sees
it rather than writing her own inferences (forming an opinion).
- Labeling/Judging should be avoided. "He did an inappropriate action."
- Use of cover terms that do not give a description or picture of the event has little
meaning.
- When judgments are inserted in field reports, the standard of comparison on which
the judgment is based should also be inserted. "The house is in ruins in relation to
other houses."
How to systematize field notes
- Learn to summarize observations. At the end of the day, observations can be treated
like a diary with dates, places, names of people and general information about the
research site.
- Notes should be done in such a way that it serves as trigger to released remembered
information. This can be expanded at the end of each day, together with the analysis
and interpretation of information gathered.
- Draw up tables of contents and indexes in order to be able to retrieve information
quickly when you need them.
Sources:
Campbell. O. et al
1999
Social Science methods for research on reproductive health. UNDP/UNFPA/World Bank Special
Programme of Research. WHO
Hardon, A. et al
2000
Applied Health Research Manual on Anthropology of Health and Health Care. 3rd Edition. Het Spinuis
Publishers, The Netherlands
Pelto, P.J. and Pelto. P.H>
1999 Anthropological Research. The structure of inquiry. 2nd edition (Digital Reprinting), Cambridge University
Press