Lecture 14

Question 1

In addition to interviews, there are many other options for data generation like:

Answer 1

• observation
• field notes
• written documents
• visual data

Question 2

Observation requires researchers to….to better understand…

Answer 2

• go into the field, or natural setting

- the phenomenon or topic of study

Question 3

Qualitative study design that typically uses observation to generate data:

Answer 3

ethnography

Question 4

In observation, researchers will draw upon…

Answer 4

their various senses

Question 5

Observation usually starts quite ____, and then becomes more ____ as the study progress.

Answer 5

• broadly

- focused

Question 6

Observations will differ from person to person depending on a number of factors:

Answer 6

• personal experiences
• philosophical worldviews
• interests

Question 7

In observations, do not worry about observing the ____ ____.

Answer 7

• right thing

- because of our diverse personal experiences, we will observe and record different things

Question 8

4 forms of observation:

Answer 8

• complete participant
• participant as observer
• observer as participant
• complete observer

Question 9

Complete participant:

Answer 9

take part in activity or phenomenon under study (essentially a participant)

Question 10

Participant as observer:

Answer 10

role as researcher is more obvious than “complete participant” whereby active participation and recording notes

Question 11

Observer as participant:

Answer 11

participation of secondary importance to recording observations

Question 12

Complete observer:

Answer 12

no interaction with participants (typically no noticed or seen by participants)

Question 13

2 types of access:

Answer 13

• covert

- overt

Question 14

Covert:

Answer 14

• researchers “blend in”

- participants are unaware they are being observed

Question 15

Overt:

Answer 15

participants are aware that they are being observed

Question 16

There can be ethical issues related to ____ observations. Why?

Answer 16

• covert

- some researchers suggest that deceptive or covert practices are not in keeping with the ethical processes

Question 17

Benefits of observation in generating data:

Answer 17

• support a deeper understanding of the context
• less preconceptions of setting (you are able to see, hear, etc. what is going on)
• can see what escapes participants’ awareness
• see what is not discussed

Question 18

Field notes are often used to…

Answer 18

record observations that were made through the various senses

Question 19

Field notes can also be used to record ____, ____, and _____ that are experienced through _____ or ______.

Answer 19

• feelings
• hunches
• interpretations
• observations
• interviews

Question 20

Field notes should be recorded in the _____ so as to easily _____ observations or reflections from ______.

Answer 20

• field
• retrieve
• interviews

Question 21

If observing as a “complete participant”, researchers should try to record their field notes within ______ of leaving the site.

Answer 21

within the hour

Question 22

4 main components of an observational protocol (template for field notes):

Answer 22

1. header
2. descriptive notes
3. reflective notes
4. visual sketch

Question 23

Header includes:

Answer 23

• descriptive title
• location
• data
• start/end time

Question 24

Descriptive notes include:

Answer 24

summarizing and describing activities or phenomenon

Question 25

Reflective notes include:

Answer 25

space to describe researcher’s feelings, reflections, interpretations of activities or phenomenon

Question 26

Visual sketch:

Answer 26

visual depiction of the setting

Question 27

In field notes, be sure to record:

Answer 27

• sensory impressions
• specific words, phrases, summaries of conversations, insider language
• any questions you might have about the people or behaviours at the site
• page numbers

Question 28

Written documents are often used in addition to…

Answer 28

other forms of data generation

Question 29

Examples of written documents:

Answer 29

• personal diaries/letters/journals
• performance reports
• newspapers

Question 30

Give an example of when you would use personal diaries/letters/journals.

Answer 30

in a study focused on exploring participants experiences of a particular PA rehabilitation program, participants may be asked to keep a daily journal/diary about such experiences

Question 31

3 types of visual data:

Answer 31

• photovoice
• mapping
• video/documentary

Question 32

Photovoice:

Answer 32

• participants are asked to take photos to represent their meanings or understandings of a research topic
• participants then describe the photo and explain how/why this photo represents the topic being explored

Question 33

Mapping:

Answer 33

participants create maps, based on memory, to identify areas of importance to the research topic

Question 34

Video recording observations and/or interviews can support the production of _______.

Answer 34

documentaries

Question 35

Documentaries provide an excellent opportunity to …

Answer 35

share findings from the research with diverse audiences