Researchers conducting participant observation often take a lot of notes in the hope that it would be useful to them at a given point in time. Such notes vary according to the level of grabularity that they wish to catch and also their sense of descriptive ability. What do you note in yours?
It´s a very normal act to produce small notations about thoughts, ideas, primary results, if you are researching. I can not imagine, how to work without these tools at least not in natural sciences.
I think that the case description has to be registered in the participant observation diary.
First thing to remember is the type of observation. Please see the differences of the types.
Then based on the type of observation and what to expect from the people or situation, prepare sufficient enough notes so that you will not miss anything. Sometimes it helps to identify beforehand some kind of codes for the type of observations expected. That will help to take notes including these codes so that you will not miss anything.
Presence of mind will always help.
I usually write about the character of place and time, events in chronological way. Lot of attention I have for the contextual phenomena and persons involved, as well as interactions. I usually notice general impression people are making on me and what is the meaning of their appereance. Besides, I notice my own thoughts, feelings, mistakes, failures in the cultural scene.
Dear All,
I create a file of my own comments daily where also the threads’ URLs are noted.
It is useful to see the recurrence of discussions.
It will depend on what is the focus of one's inquiry. I have studies different types of issues through PO as one of the methodolgies. If I am observing, for example, how do parties behave in a conciliation meeting called by the Conciliation officer to resolve a labour-management dispute in an organization, I will record the the observations with the following points in my mind:
--Attitude of the three actors in the system i.e. management, union, & conciliation officer
--Does the employer have a real willingness to resolve the dispute, or is he trying to use the conciliation system to delay the dispute and tire out the union?
--Who cites the lack of relevant labour laws implementation and why?
--What offers are made by the parties and how do they come down or go up in their offers for reaching a settlement?
--Who asks for adjournment of the meeting to the next date and why i.e. can we attribute extraneous motives to such adjournments that are discernible from the party's attitude
Besides taking key points, I try to write about observable patterns but also make note of specific exceptions, and look for possible recurrences to chart out potential subtle patterns to that. Non-verbal cues/body language is important too, and at times more so than verbal communication.
Dear Monica,
How can you describe and note non-verbal cues/body language signals? For me even noting of plain ideas can cause troubles. Not to speak on the permanent deficit of time...
Dear Andras,
I think it's a spontaneous impulse that women are endowed with. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying that men are not. As humans we all are, but some people, especially a lot of women are more tuned into interpersonal dynamics and have a more natural understanding of psychological intricacies. All of us, irrespective of gender, decode information holistically. Which means, if someone is telling me something nice but his/her body language contradicts that, I would probably not be convinced and trust the latter more than the former. The person doesn't even have to be in front of me. The tone of one's voice on the phone is often as good an indicator as what is being actually said (unless the content is largely neutral).
Back to your question, I understand that time is a constraint. Maybe having a video recording with consent in indoor overt participation sessions is a good idea to revisit key ideas and look at other subtle cues such as body language. In covert participations, it is easier to take note of that because we are not required to be part of the active conversation, and participants are more likely to be 'normal' selves.
It is a nice practice to write in a diary, whatever nice we hear or come across or feel or think, so that it is imprinted again in brain and on paper :)) I always find lots to write during lectures or conferences, which I refer to, later!
I completely agree with you Monica :)) Participants have a substantial time to observe and learn in conferences and its an opportunity to do so, in such a busy world !
I write ideas for new books. These ideas occur to me in the oddest places: in the supermarket, at a concert, and today, in the dentist´s chair. While having my dentition explored, I found it distracting-- and consoling-- to think up titles that adventurous scholars might enjoy reading. Only this morning, I thought up this one: "Women on the Spanish Stage (1898-1936)." Then I thought of magnificent specimens of little studied yet creative femininity. Tomorrow, I have a visit to the ophthalmologist. I wonder what book titles will emerge from that appointment....
I write all important points, all kind of ideas related to research, important link, outcomes of research papers or topic. I mention title year and author name to get easy excess of information.
All the relevant points observed and discussed, with further action proposed, prioritized and planned....Next meeting (proposed) date...
Dear Costas,
I´m convinced that the question didn´t aim to read the contents of your notices, rather you should explain the kind of your confidential remarks. ;-)
Always, before I start conducting a research, I write notes and keep them for follow up.
I collect everything I Like, just because I like it, irrespective of whether I use it, later on or not :))
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