Part I – Participant Observation
Sociologists use research to collect information about society and apply their findings to everyday life to better understand the human condition. Sociologists can investigate people in their natural environments by becoming part of their everyday settings to observe and study participants.
Imagine that you are a practicing sociologist who is researching the behavior of social groups in social settings.
Conduct a participant observation of a group of people on a television program or social media network such as facebook.
Station yourself to observe participants for 30 minutes of a television program or a day’s worth of interaction in a social media network such as twitter or facebook without interacting with any of the participants.
Use the
Field Study Observation Template
to collect field notes on the following data about the individuals in your observation, as you perceive it:
- Gender/sex
- Race/ethnicity
- Age
(Your numbers do not need to be exact, but try to make them as accurate as possible. You do not need to submit these notes with your assignment—they are only for you to reference to guide your observation.)
Part II – Reflection Report
Write a 525- to 700-word report about your observation. Include the following information:
1) Setting
- Describe the setting for your observation, including the location, time of day (morning, midday, afternoon, evening), and weather.
2) Group Dynamics
- What patterns of group behavior did you observe that may have been influenced by the setting?
- What patterns of group behavior did you observe based on gender/sex?
- What patterns of group behavior did you observe based on race/ethnicity?
- What patterns of group behavior did you observe based on age?
- Which cultural norms did you observe among your participants? Explain your answer in several sentences using at least one example.
- What did you observe overall about the group dynamics of your participants? Explain your answer in several sentences using at least one example.
- What social or economic factors might have influenced the group dynamics you observed? Explain your answer in several sentences.
3) Real-World Applications
- Consider how you could use a participant observation exercise in the future to study patterns in other social groups, such as with families, coworkers, or other organizations.
- Explain how observing social patterns could help your interactions in a group. Give at least one reason why improving your understanding of group dynamics can help you to succeed in culturally diverse environments.
SOC/100 v8
Field Study Observation Template
SOC/100 v8
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Field Study Observation Template
Below are examples of ways that a sociologist might take field notes. Use any of these styles to guide your note-taking during your observation for this assignment.
The charts are optional for you to use, and your notes do not need to be turned in with your assignment. You may create your own chart or use another method that works best for you. Change or add the categories or labels as needed for your group of subjects.
Example Field Notes
Example A: Table of Subjects
Subject
Estimated Age
Estimated Race or Ethnicity
Estimated Gender or Sex
1
Around 12
Hispanic
Male
2
Maybe 40
Black
Female
3
Late 20’s
White
Other
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Example B: Category Totals
Category
Variable
Mark X for Number Observed
Age
Young/Child
X
Age
Teen
Age
Adult 20-40’s
XXXX
Age
Adult 40-60’s
XX
Age
Senior
Race/Ethnicity
African American
XX
Race/Ethnicity
Asian
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian
XXXXX
Race/Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
X
Race/Ethnicity
Biracial/Other
X
Gender/Sex
Female
XXXXXX
Gender/Sex
Male
XXXXXXXX
Gender/Sex
Other
X
Example C: Story Journal
Saw the following: A family of five (white, mother and father look middle-aged, 3 kids: 2 boys, 1 girl, all young children). An African-American woman around 50 with a 5-year-old girl. An adult male, appears to be Asian. Two teen girls, likely Hispanic/Latino. Group of four middle-aged women (1 Native American, 1 biracial, 2 white).
Your Field Notes
Collect your field notes in the space below, using one of the note types from above or another method that works best for you. Additionally, include notes on any patterns of behavior and cultural norms that you observe in groups based on age, gender/sex, and race/ethnicity.
Copyright 2020 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2020 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.