Observation as an Assessment Method Flashcards
What is observation?
Described as the process of gathering, first-hand information by observing people and places in a given context
Can be used as a primary method for collecting information or in conjunction with other procedures
What doe people only see what they are prepared to see mean?
You're only tuned into what you think your suppose to see Cultural bias Context of class or picture What you are trained in What you are interested in
What are advantages of observations?
Qualitative - see how well a task is performed Can be paired with other methods Observe behaviours 1st hand Can get rich detail people may leave out
What are disadvantages of observation?
Difficult to be objective
Observer effects
Writing note = lost information
Observe different things
What are observational skills?
Thick account of an experience or event with lots of meaningful details but not too much trivia
- be prepared
- consistent field notes
- selective attention to detail
- triangulation (match up observation with other info)
- stay curious
- reflexivity
What are five factors that shape how you observe the behaviour of interest?
Role of the observer Inside or outside perspective Disclosure Duration of observation Focus of observation
What are roles of the observer?
Full participant
- participating, interacting and observing
- have to have same characteristics as the group to be full participant
Part participant/Part observer
On-Looker Observer
-one process: observing
What is insider vs outsider perspective?
Insider (emic)
- may be so immersed that the setting they are unaware of relationships, patterns and systems
Balance
Outsider (etic)
- may not understand the relationships, patterns and systems at work
What is disclosure of the observers role to others?
Overt: full disclosure - Possibility of strong observer effects Selective disclosure - they know they will be observed but they don't know when Covert: no disclosure - observer effect minimal or removed
What are durations of observations?
Short -single observation Ongoing over time - once/month Long term/Multiple - months or years - report only at the end
What is the focus of observations?
Narrow focus -single element Evolving, Emergent - start with one focus and broaden the view or vice versa Broad view -holistic view
- will effect the extent to which the observer is a participant, who will know about the purpose, and the duration
- trade-off between breadth and depth
What are sources of observational data?
the setting -physical -social planned and structured activities Unplanned Nonverbal communication Non-occurrences Reflection
What to observe in the physical environment?
Common mistake is to take the physical environment for granted
Value vivid description
Social environment?
Social climate perspective assumes that environments have a unique personality
Important to what happens in a specific setting
- how people organise themselves
- patterns and frequency of interactions
- direction of communication patterns
- decision-making patterns
What to look for with planned activities?
Describing a specific activity and the interaction within that activity
- who is involved
- what is being done and said?
- how do they go about what they are doing
- where do activities occur
- when do things happen
- what are the variations in how people engage
- how does it feel to be engaged?
