EDS 102 – WEEK 6

May 6, 2025

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Upcoming quiz preview - May 13

• Review textbook chapters 5 and 6
• Some topics to pay attention to:
• Different types of interviews
• Different types of interview questions
• When to use observational methods
• Advice on how to conduct interviews and observations
• The role of the observer in a setting

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• Practice mentimenter

Agenda

• The purpose of observations
• What and how to observe
• Wrap up

Topics Related to Observations

• Using observation as a research tool
• Deciding what to observe
• The relationship between observer and observed
• How to record observations
• Online observation

Observation in Research

Observation is a valid research tool when it is

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• systematic
• addressed to a specific research question
• subject to checks and balances in producing trustworthy results

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Observation is the best technique to use when…

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How are observations different from interviews?

They take place where the phenomenon of interest naturally occurs (rather than in a location designated for interviewing)

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They represent a first-hand encounter with the phenomenon rather than the second hand account obtained in an interview

Specific Uses of Observation

• Record behavior as it is happening
• Provide some knowledge of the context
• Provide reference points for subsequent interviews
• Part of the triangulation process

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Traits of a Skilled Observer

A skilled observer knows/learns how to

• pay attention
• write descriptively
• take disciplined field notes
• separate detail from trivia
• use systematic methods to validate and triangulate observations

What determines what you will observe?

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What To Observe?

Physical setting – space, objects, arrangements

Participants – who, how many, roles, characteristics

Activities and interactions – what is going on, when do activities begin and end, who is involved.

Conversation – what is said, who speaks and to whom, quote directly if possible

Subtle (other) factors – unplanned activities, non-verbal cues, symbolism

Your own behavior – how your presence affects the setting or participants

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Practice observing

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Watch the video and jot notes

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Video observation

Compare and contrast your notes with a partner

• How did you decide what to attune to?
• How might your perspective have influenced what you pay attention to?

What was missing, or what were you not seeing?

Were there moments that triggered strong feelings?

Three Stages of Observation Process

• Entry: To optimize your chance of being welcomed in the setting, be flexible and ready to answer “how,” “what,” and “why” and “for what benefit” questions about the study.
• Data Collection: Have someone on site introduce you. Establish rapport. Keep the first observations fairly short. Be relatively passive and unobtrusive. Be friendly and honest and not overly technical in explaining what you are doing. Figure out how to dress.
• Exit: Be mindful how you exit the setting when data collection is complete. Ease out of the setting by coming less frequently and then eventually stopping altogether.

Recording Observations

Field notes constitute the basis for data upon which the study is based.

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• Creating field notes will probably take longer than the time spent in observation.
• Write up your field notes as soon as possible after you complete the observation. Don’t wait a week or two.

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What should field notes include?

• Clear and consistent header – date, location, time, etc.
• Concrete, specific rich descriptions of what you saw and heard
• Direct quotations and paraphrases of dialogue
• Sensory details
• Non-verbal cues such as gestures

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• Low inference reporting language
• Precise numbers
• Time markers

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Tips for observing

• Use a notepad with a cover. Bring more than one pen. Use a laptop only if others in the setting have them open.
• Be aware of your facial expressions. Take photos of artifacts/handouts you are given while observing and embed them in your field notes.
• Plan sessions of an hour or less, as observations take enormous energy and concentration.
• Try to capture as much detail and dialogue as possible. It isn’t easy. We all improve with more practice.
• Use abbreviations (e.g., Sts for students, T for teacher)

Observer comments/reflections

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• Marginal or in-line notes identified by the initials “OC.”

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• The researcher’s reactions, initial interpretations, working hypotheses

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• Next steps -- ideas for things to pursue or follow up on

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Additional advice on observational data collection �-- Orellana (2019)

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• Write what stands out to you – people, places things, actions, words, activities, relationships
• Record first impressions of a site
• Don’t leap too quickly to analyze or interpret
• We all see different things, and our notes will be different
• Notice emotions – yours and those of people in the site
• Offer an empathic presence

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Sample field notes

8:15 am. Ms. Charlie invites students to join her in the corner seating area. The students quickly make their way over. Some sit on long cushy benches whereas others roll their chairs over.  Ms. C explains, “When I read your logs, I notice that you wrote things that sometimes I didn’t understand. I didn’t know what you were talking about, but I know you know because you read the book. Someone used the word ‘stuff.’

�She explains that first they will have a mini lesson and then they will get into groups to make sentences. Then they will practice individually on Edmodo. She asks, “How will I then know you know how to do this?” A student responded, “You can look at any writing piece we did.”

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She has an easel with white paper in front of the students. She says, “I’m going to start by reading a sentence.” She reads the sentence on the white paper aloud: He looked down trying to remember if he had been to that place. She explains that there are some “huh?” words that need to be clarified so that the reader understands. She says, “I’m going to help you by telling you the first word: When Dixie looked down trying to remember if he had been to that place.” “I clarified he. Who is he?” says . “Winn Dixie,” numerous students say aloud.

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Observer comment: It struck me that this lesson not only taught them a writing concept, it also helped them with their comprehension of the book the class was reading.�

Other kinds of observational techniques

Taking field notes is one way to conduct observations. What are others?

• Video observations that are gathered for later analysis.
• Structured observation forms that combine running notes with some general or study-specific prompts such as:
• Diagram of the classroom and how students were seated.
• Who spoke in the meeting? What topics were discussed?
• Describe the behavior management approaches you observed in the classroom. Include observations on negative or positive discipline approaches. 
• What information was presented in the meeting that addressed the issue of college preparation?

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Observation protocols

Example

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Example - Completed (Note: No public access to this document.)

Other kinds of observational techniques

• Time sampled or other kinds of structured classroom observations
• Observing at regular intervals and scoring particular activities by teachers and students (e.g. Language Interaction Snapshot (LISn)

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Online Observation �

• Online observations can occur in a variety of modalities: live, pre-recorded, online communities
• When you conduct observations in online settings, carefully document the process and keep field notes in some disciplined form.
• Ensure that online meetings are public and archived, no password is required, and the site doesn’t prohibit using the data for research purposes

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Practice online observation: School board meetings

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Background on school boards:

• Provides oversight and governance over public school district
• Usually elected; sometimes appointed; sometimes hybrid
• Elected at-large or represent subsections of the community
• 5-7 members typically; some larger
• Intended to be a link between communities and districts
• Meetings provide forum for community input
• Limits are set for public comment (e.g., 1-3 minutes per person

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Video of a school board meeting

What characterizes the public comment period of school board meetings?

Looking ahead

Class on Thursday, May 8

(1) Read the Martinez article

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There will be a reading quiz on Chapters 5-6 in class on May 13. (See next slide!) You may bring a notecard with your notes.

Research Proposal Part II due May 26

• Describe in approximately 200-300 words what you could observe in a setting, describe what you will be looking for in those observations and, if applicable, develop an observation protocol.

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Preparing for the quiz

• Review concepts on lecture slides: April 29, May 1 & 6
• Review textbook chapters 5 and 6
• Some topics to pay attention to:
• Different types of interviews
• Different types of interview questions
• When to use observational methods
• Advice on how to conduct interviews and observations
• The role of the observer in a setting