Review Time: Management of Learning (MOL)

1. Review Time: Management of Learning (MOL) Talkie Time: Research worth Sharing

2. Lesson 11, Competency : The learner

3. Activity: Watch the video and answer the following questions?1. What are the variables used in the study?II. How was the investigation presented?III. How is the data (sampling) gathered?IV. What is the qualitative design used?

4. A. What is Participant Observation • involves the researcher "getting to know" the people they're studying by entering their world and participating in that world. • Observation may be covert (secret) or overt (open) • This means you put yourself "in the shoes" of the people you're studying in an attempt to experience events in the way they experience them.

5. Participant Observation (cont’d) • Usually involves observation over an extended period of time • Observer must, however, maintain objectivity to understand, analyse and explain the social world under study. • Qualitative rather than quantitative – observor gains a deeper understanding of the group being observed. • Difficult to record / remember/ write down everything that is observed

6. Generally speaking, the researcher engaged in participant observation tries to learn what life is like for an “insider” while remaining, inevitably, an “outsider.”

7. While in these community settings, researchers make careful, objective notes about what they see, recording all accounts and observations as field notes in a field notebook. Informal conversation and interaction should be recorded in the field notes, in as much detail as possible.

9. Advantages of Covert Participant Observation • The behaviour of those being observed remains unaltered – i.e. avoids the ‘observer effect’ • The observer may be allowed access to ‘privileged’ inside information and decision making of the group • Observer gains access to groups who would otherwise not allow observation

10. Disadvantages of Covert Observation • researcher ‘goes native’ – i.e. sympathises with / identifies with the group and loses objectivity • becoming involved in criminal or dangerous activities when a ‘deviant’ group is being studied • having to act out forms of behaviour which observer finds personally unethical or distasteful • having to use deceit • researcher may form connections / friendships with members of the group – emotionally stressful • Time consuming

11. What is Overt Observation? • the researcher being open about the reason for her presence in the field of study since the researcher is given permission by the group to conduct her research • the use of a 'sponsor', who is an individual likely to occupy a high status within the group, therefore lessening any potential hostility towards the researcher.

12. Advantages of Overt Observation • the avoidance of problems of ethics in that the group are aware of the researcher's role • the group is being observed in its 'natural setting' • data may also be openly recorded • problems of 'going native' are avoided

13. Disadvantages of Overt Observation • Observer effect, where the behaviour of those under study may alter due to the presence of the researcher. • Time consuming

15. Another important aspect of participant observation is identifying key informants – local individuals who can directly provide important information about the community and thus help the researcher more quickly understand the study population and cultural environment.

16. How do I document what I learn during participant observation? Documentation of participant observation data consists of 1. field notes recorded in field notebooks. These data are records of what you experienced, what you learned through interaction with other people, and what you observed. 2. Audio and video recordings of participant observation

17. How should I behave during participant observation? The most important behavioral principle in participant observation is to be discreet. Try not to stand out or to affect the natural flow of activity. One way to do this is to behave in a way similar to the people around you, such as praying in a religious setting or drinking in a bar.

18. How do I take field notes? Handwritten notes, later converted into computer files, are often the only way to document certain participant observation activities, such as informal or spontaneous interviews, observation, and generally moving about in the field. Notes from participant observation – like those from interviews and focus groups – are called “field notes,” and they are written directly into field notebooks.

21. The Choreography of Participant Observation (Janesick, 1994) • Like dance, researchers must be flexible and adaptive to the dynamic process • There are three stages to participant observation: • The “warm-up” period • The “floor exercise” stage • The “cool-down” stage

22. The “Warm-up” Period • The researcher begins the process with general questions of interest – these questions will evolve throughout the research process. • The literature review is written to achieve theoretical sensitivity. • The researcher initiates a reflexive journal and a journal for field notes. • The researcher selects the field site. • The researcher decides the type of role they will assume. • The researcher seeks to gain and sustain access to the site.

23. The “Floor Exercise” Period • Sampling • Constructing Field Notes and Visual Records • Making ethical decisions • Triangulating sources of data • Sustaining elasticity

24. The “Cool-Down” Period • Data gathering is complete when saturation has been achieved. • When data are repetitive and interpretations refined, saturation has been achieved. • In order to determine saturation, the researcher must analyze data as it is collected. • The researcher must keep her relationships with participants in mind when deciding how to leave the field. • Additional member checks may be necessary as the researcher continues to write the research report.

27. Application: 2 Volunteers and perform the task outside for 5 mins.