For this exercise, you will complete a non-participant observation study. For this
exercise, you will complete a non-participant observation study. Choose a public
area—the LSC plaza, a store, etc.—and observe as much detail as possible for about
30 minutes. Before you do your fieldwork, jot down some hypotheses (expectations)
regarding what you think you will see. 2-3 pages, double spaced
1. Take notes on what you observe. Make notes on how people interact, if the
interaction changes over time, if there are certain norms or rules to the interaction, and
what happens if those rules are broken. You might include notes on whether COVID-19
affects interaction.
2. From observing the interactions, what can you tell about these people? Are there any
noticeable groupings or patterns? Are there any differences in age, gender, race within
groups or do people with the same apparent demographic characteristics only interact
with each other?
3. When you complete your observations, organize them into meaningful categories.
Your categories should emerge out of your notes and observations. For example, you
might have a category entitled “non-verbal communication” and another category titled
“rules for interaction,” etc.
4. Write up your observations in an essay that conveys what you observed and what
categories you identified. Your essay will probably not use all of your notes, but you
should include a thorough description with examples for your categories. You should
also include details on when and where you completed your observations.
