Qualitative Research

Methods:
Participant
Observation
Bryan Parra
Julin Galvis
Cristian Bernal

Participant
observatio
n
Objective: help
researchers to
learn the
perspectives
held by the
study of
populations

Advantage
s

V
S
Disadvantag
es

Advantage
s

Allows for
insights
into
context,
and
behavior.

Helps to
understand
problematic
issues which
were unknown
when the study
was designed

Disadvantag
es
Time
consumi
ng
It spends at
least one
year in the
field of
collecting
the data.

Documen
tation
relies on
memory

memory
fades
easily

Requires
conscious
effort at
objectivity
.
Reporting is
objective
while
interpreting
what is
observe is
subjective.

What form do participant

observation data take?
sometim

es
involves
numeric
al data
Qualitati
ve
research
.

How to
maintain
confidentiality
during
participant
observation?
Avoid the
recording of
participants
personal
information

participant
observers
responsibiliti
es?
be prepare to
adapt to a
variety of
uncontrolled
situations

be prepare to
control the time
to participate into
activities vs the
time to observe
those activities

Is participant
observation done
individually or as a
team?
individu
ally

pairs

varies
according to
different
factors:
purpose,
population,

groups

How do I document
what I learn during
participant
observation?
Documentation of data consists of field notes
What you experienced, what you learned through
interaction with other people, and what you
observed
How people behaved and reacted, what was said in
conversation, where people were positioned in
relationship to one another, physical gestures, your
subjective responses to what you observed
Field notes may be written during participant
observation or following the activity.
Whatever the case, notes should be expanded as
soon as possible before your memory of the details
fades
You might also sketch a map of your observation

What should I do with my

field notes?
You have to expand your notes
into a descriptive narrative. (as
soon as possible)
Include as many details as
possible
Also field notes can be shared
with the team
Security of the data expanded
is very important

When should I share my data

with the research team?
At the beginning of the project
The team becomes familiar with the
context for anticipated problems and
solutions
To solve possible discussions that
emerge

How to Be an
Effective
Participant
Observer
The data is only as
good as researchers
observations,
descriptions and
notes
Objectivity and
preparation