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Collecting Evidence: A Layman's Guide to Participant Observation.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Collecting Evidence: A Layman's Guide to Participant Observation.
Authors: Ferreira, Joseph, Burges, Bill, Institute for Responsive Education, Boston, MA.
Availability: Institute for Responsive Education, 704 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 ($2.00, orders for $10.00 or less must be accompanied by payment or requisition)
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 1976
Sponsoring Agency: Hazen Foundation, New Haven, CT.
Document Type: Guides - General
Descriptors: Action Research, Citizen Participation, Community Action, Data Collection, Elementary Secondary Education, Participant Observation
Abstract: Participant/observation is useful as a tool for gathering evidence about processes, circumstances, or other observable conditions. A participant/observer is an investigator gathering evidence. Observations are carefully recorded, prejudgment is scorned, and judgments flow from the evidence. In approaching a situation to be investigated, the participant/observer should get a flavor of the system of which the situation is a part, identify those problems or parts of the system that influence the situation under investigation, and select the problems or parts that seem most important and might provide vital evidence. Once the situation is chosen, five types of data are often important: descriptive data about settings, accurate descriptions of actions and behaviors, word-for-word statements, traces and wear spots, and documents. The participant/observer is also interested in reliable witnesses and informants. Self-training exercises and sample observations are included. (Author/IRT)
Journal Code: RIEMAY1977
Entry Date: 1977
Accession Number: ED132715
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Participant/observation is useful as a tool for gathering evidence about processes, circumstances, or other observable conditions. A participant/observer is an investigator gathering evidence. Observations are carefully recorded, prejudgment is scorned, and judgments flow from the evidence. In approaching a situation to be investigated, the participant/observer should get a flavor of the system of which the situation is a part, identify those problems or parts of the system that influence the situation under investigation, and select the problems or parts that seem most important and might provide vital evidence. Once the situation is chosen, five types of data are often important: descriptive data about settings, accurate descriptions of actions and behaviors, word-for-word statements, traces and wear spots, and documents. The participant/observer is also interested in reliable witnesses and informants. Self-training exercises and sample observations are included. (Author/IRT)