Presentations of last exercise : Observations in a public place

1. Presentations of last exercise: Observations in a public place Nina Boulus & Pernille Bjørn

2. Summary: Observation sessions (1/3) • Types of observations: Participant observation -- Non-participant/Passive observation (Fly-on-the-wall) • Conducting observations in practice: • Location of observation session: ensure maximum access and visual view to the collaborative investigated • -- Optimal site: lots of interactions, movement/flow of people+ things • -- Acknowledge what is out of your sights (e.g. film) • Your location: place to sit down and write notes without being in the way/attracting much attention • Use all your senses(sight, smell, hearing, etc.)+ capture non-verbal communications • Same time/place produce different observations • Different time/place enables comparison

3. Summary: Observation sessions (2/3) • Writing observation notes: • Start by setting the stage: Who, what, when, where and why (e.g. location? Time? People present? etc.) • -- Visual map/photos (graphic representation) of the setting • Start w/general descriptions (e.g., place, layout+ spatial arrangement, atmosphere, etc.) Then select and zoom onto particular things to focus on (event, people, artefact, etc.) • Start w/Keywords and short descriptions on the spot Add rich and detailednotes= ‘thick descriptions’ (not only behavior, also context) • -- Spend double as much time to extend the notes as the observation session • Be aware of loaded categories (e.g. good/bad music)

4. Summary: Observation sessions (3/3) • Writing observation notes: • First descriptions then interpretations(of event, behavior) • -- Detect and interpret organizing principles of the setting • -- Sequenceof events/activities • -- Repeatingpatterns(e.g., practices of waiting in line) • -- Deviationsfrom general order? (e.g. people acting differently; being treated differently) • Field notes (both for interviews+ observations) : • Keep log time! (record time, place, people, events, practices+). • Distinguish between your observation (description) & your interpretation(assumptions) • Distinguish between the informant’s voice (what you are told) & your voice (what you interpret) • Contingent understanding of ‘truth’ (no 1 privileged version) • Common sense understanding of social life (e.g., cultural knowledge, social norms/behavior, etc.)