Participant Observation Report
“People Watching”
Participant Observation Activity
Questions and Assignment Description
You may observe people in any public place where there are a lot of people. Please observe for at least 30 minutes. Some examples include: malls, plazas, parking lots, campuses, gas stations, office buildings, restaurants, or anywhere else that’s public. During the observation session, write down your notes (see questions below), and then after the session write up a one page reaction paper to your experience. See further description below.
Why do participant observation?
Why not just interview or “talk” to the people to get questions answered?
· to gather information on an existing system,
· to avoid the discrepancy between what people say and what they actually do,
· when people …show more content…
What are their mannerisms? Is it different because of their gender? How do they “flirt” or communicate with each other? Can you “tell” that they are a certain gender or sexuality based on their dress and mannerisms alone?
What social class do you assume your participants are? How can you “tell” that they are upper, middle, or lower class? Describe their dress and mannerisms?
Does their language, mannerisms, or dress change because of their race? How much does their race effect who they’re with, how they speak, where they shop? Or does it?
Are the younger participants more socialized to behave differently, shop at different places, use different language, because of their age? What is the purpose of younger versus older people shopping? Or are they the same reasons?
What other social factors influence people’s behaviour? Would their behavior change if they knew they were being observed for a sociology class? Why or why not? Remember: You are Only There to Observe
Do not assist the participant with his or her tasks. You are only there to observe.
Do not interfere with the participant's tasks by offering suggestions on
Participant Observation Activity
Questions and Assignment Description
You may observe people in any public place where there are a lot of people. Please observe for at least 30 minutes. Some examples include: malls, plazas, parking lots, campuses, gas stations, office buildings, restaurants, or anywhere else that’s public. During the observation session, write down your notes (see questions below), and then after the session write up a one page reaction paper to your experience. See further description below.
Why do participant observation?
Why not just interview or “talk” to the people to get questions answered?
· to gather information on an existing system,
· to avoid the discrepancy between what people say and what they actually do,
· when people …show more content…
What are their mannerisms? Is it different because of their gender? How do they “flirt” or communicate with each other? Can you “tell” that they are a certain gender or sexuality based on their dress and mannerisms alone?
What social class do you assume your participants are? How can you “tell” that they are upper, middle, or lower class? Describe their dress and mannerisms?
Does their language, mannerisms, or dress change because of their race? How much does their race effect who they’re with, how they speak, where they shop? Or does it?
Are the younger participants more socialized to behave differently, shop at different places, use different language, because of their age? What is the purpose of younger versus older people shopping? Or are they the same reasons?
What other social factors influence people’s behaviour? Would their behavior change if they knew they were being observed for a sociology class? Why or why not? Remember: You are Only There to Observe
Do not assist the participant with his or her tasks. You are only there to observe.
Do not interfere with the participant's tasks by offering suggestions on