Participant Observation as a Data Collection Method
Keywords:
participant observation, qualitative research methods, field notes
Abstract
Observation, particularly participant observation, has been used in a variety of disciplines as a tool for collecting data about people, processes, and cultures in qualitative research. This paper provides a look at various definitions of participant observation, the history of its use, the purposes for which it is used, the stances of the observer, and when, what, and how to observe. Information on keeping field notes and writing them up is also discussed, along with some exercises for teaching observation techniques to researchers-in-training. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0502430Downloads
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Published
2005-05-31
How to Cite
Kawulich, B. B. (2005). Participant Observation as a Data Collection Method. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-6.2.466
Section
Single Contributions
Copyright (c) 2005 Barbara B. Kawulich

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