Doing Research: Field Observations

Learn the basics of field observations for research, including why to use them, how to conceptualize, and effective note-taking techniques.

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Key Takeaways

Field observations privilege the observer's perspective and are not fully objective.
Enter observation spaces with an open mind to avoid bias.
Use multiple note-taking methods to capture detailed and sensory-rich data.
Avoid focusing solely on details that support personal biases.
Sketching can supplement written notes and enhance research data.

What the video covers

Introduction to field observations as a research method.
Explanation of why field observations are useful and their limitations.
How to become a skilled observer by being detailed and open-minded.
The risk of selective bias when observing with a specific agenda.
Importance of observing all details in a given space or moment.
Different methods for taking field notes, including voice recordings and physical notes.
Using all senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch) to enrich observations.
The value of sketching notes alongside written observations.
Field observations as a valuable data collection tool for research projects.
Reminder to be careful and mindful while conducting field observations.

Chapters

Why should field observations not be considered fully objective?

Field observations usually privilege the observer's point of view and reflect personal perspectives, so they should not be called objectively true or fully representative of a moment in time.

How can I avoid bias when conducting field observations?

Enter the observation space with an open mind, take notes on as many details as possible, and avoid focusing only on information that supports your personal agenda.

What are some effective ways to take notes during field observations?

You can use voice recorders or phone apps to quickly capture observations, take physical notes, incorporate all your senses, and even sketch to create a richer set of data.

Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

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[Music] Hello everyone, and welcome to this video on doing research. Today, we will be going over the basics of field observations. I have included timestamps for the video in the description box. First, we will discuss why you might choose to use

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field observations as a research method. Second, we will think about how to conceptualize field observations while you are doing them. Third, we will review how to take effective notes during and after field observations. So, why might we choose field observations

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as a research method? Well, as humans, we are constantly, constantly observing and internalizing data from the world around us, but often this is done unconsciously. Becoming a skilled observer allows us to hone this talent and take informative notes during

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certain situations or in certain spaces. We have to remember, however, that field observations usually privilege the observer's point of view, so we should never point to our field notes and call them objectively true or truly representative of a moment in time.

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As I mentioned, we all observe the world around us, so how can we begin to be skilled observers? First, start thinking of what you are looking at in a given moment in time or a particular space. We should always try and be detailed

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with our observations but should be aware that our personal interests might undermine our observations. For example, say you are researching clean air production. You might observe a space and go, "Aha, there's a plant, and that produces clean air."

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Observing this plant would allow you to make the claim the plants are present in that space, and this ensures cleaner air production. However, in observing the plant, what else might you have missed? When you go into a space

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with a specific agenda in mind, you must remember to try and take notes on as much as possible so you don't skew your data. Otherwise, you run the risk of muddying your field notes with too much selective bias.

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With this in mind, remember to try and enter a space with an open mind that allows you to observe all the details that can be found there. Don't zero in on one detail and use that detail to support your biases.

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This brings me to the topic of taking field notes. Often, taking notes on field observations can be overwhelming and take a long time. Because of this, a lot of researchers like to record themselves speaking instead of writing physical notes.

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Using a voice recorder or a phone app to record your notes and observations is a quick and easy way to take notes while you observe your surroundings. Some people do like to take physical notes, and this is fine too.

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Remember to be specific as you take notes and take all your senses into account. Don't just take notes on what you see but also what you can smell, hear, touch, etc. This will provide a more robust set of notes from your

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observations. Finally, some people enjoy sketching notes as well as writing words. Doing sketches can take some time, but they can prove useful pieces of data that you can include in your written research later down the line. I hope you found this introduction to

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field observations useful. Field observations are a wonderful way to collect data for your research projects, but be sure to be careful while you're conducting them. Thank you for watching, and I'll see you all next time.

Topics:field observationsresearch methodsnote-takingobservational biasdata collectionskilled observationqualitative researchresearch tipsvoice recordingsketching notes

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