Observations help bring information to triangulate our findings (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016). Before we can decide how we will schedule, record, and evaluate, it is important that we decide which type of observation we will be doing. Different types of observation will yield different data, so it is imperative we pick the one that will give us the best opportunity to get the most useful data. It is important that we know how we want to record the data we are observing. If we don’t have a method that is clear and makes sense to us, then there is a good chance the data we get will not be useful. It is also important that we write down what we can gather with our five senses, not what we think the people we are observing are trying to convey. We cannot interpret what they are feeling, only write what we see, that helps not to create bias in our data. We also must remember that the schedule we set could have an effect on our data, will the time of day influence the data we are going to get? After the observation process, it is important to reflect on what we saw and write down any aha! moments in the margins. Self-observations are important, but it is also important that we are aware of our own biases and don’t manipulate our findings. I feel as though reflecting on these four major areas: observation type, data recording, schedule, and evaluation, before and after we go into our observations will help us to get the most useful data for our research.
Bibliography
Colby, R. (n.d.). Qualitative research: Interpreting observations and interviews. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from http://wow.richardcolby.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Chapter7.pdf
Farber, N. K. (2006). Conducting qualitative research: A practical guide for school counselors. Professional School Counseling,9(5), 367-375. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/213312125?accountid=44766
Merriam, S., & Tisdell, E. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (Fourth ed.). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Leech, N. L., & Collins, K. M. T. (2010). Innovative data collection strategies in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 15(3), 696-726. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/578480539?accountid=44766
Bibliography
Colby, R. (n.d.). Qualitative research: Interpreting observations and interviews. Retrieved October 14, 2015, from http://wow.richardcolby.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Chapter7.pdf
Farber, N. K. (2006). Conducting qualitative research: A practical guide for school counselors. Professional School Counseling,9(5), 367-375. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/213312125?accountid=44766
Merriam, S., & Tisdell, E. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (Fourth ed.). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., Leech, N. L., & Collins, K. M. T. (2010). Innovative data collection strategies in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 15(3), 696-726. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/578480539?accountid=44766