observation

ASSIGNMENT 2: FIELD OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT PART II (100 points):

PURPOSE: The purpose of this two-step exercise (ASSIGNMENT 1 due in Week 3 and ASSIGNMENT 2 due in Week 5) is for you to conduct inductive and deductive research using qualitative methods.

NOTE: it is important that you conduct the observations as two distinct events during this class; ‘recalling’ past observations is not the same as purposefully observing your surroundings from a sociological perspective, and applying two different types of reasoning to one observation will not be ‘truthful’ or successful.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

The purpose of this exercise if for you to observe ONE social setting to begin to detect patterns in human behavior – observance of norms and potentially behaviors that deviate from the norm.

For ASSIGNMENT 2: You will develop a research design with research problem, hypothesis and operational definitions for variables; then you will conduct another 1 hour of observations in the same social setting as in ASSIGNMENT 1.

ASSIGNMENT 2-FIELD OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT PART 2 (DEDUCTIVE RESEARCH) INSTRUCTIONS:

For ASSIGNMENT 2: You will develop a research design with research problem, hypothesis and operational definitions for variables; then you will conduct another 1 hour of observations. NOTE: For additional information on hypotheses, operational definitions, and other research methodology concepts, see Week 5 Lesson>Assignments, Tests & Quizzes section for links to some methodology resources.

1) Based on your initial observations and written analyses completed for ASSIGNMENT 1, develop a specific research problem/question to be further investigated (i.e. the variation in behavior of males versus females when entering a store with a glass store front)

2) Identify the key variables you are going to be investigating, and develop an operational definition for each of them. (this should include at least two variables, but not more than four). Your operational definitions will help to provide parameters for how to record variations in your observations.

3) Write a hypothesis for what you expect to observe in your second round of observations.

4) Repeat observations. This should be done at the SAME social setting as in ASSIGNMENT 1 at approximately the same time of day (if you can do this one or two weeks later on the same day, it would be great!)

5) When you have returned from you observation, type up your notes. Review your notes for patterns in behavior, socio-demographic characteristics, etc. AND how they corresponded with your expectations/hypothesis

6) Describe observations using ‘thick description’ of the location (i.e. building you were in (what is the architecture like), descriptions of people there (in terms of socio-demographic characteristics: age, race/ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status), sounds, smells, temperature, time of day and week, etc);

7) Analyze your observations in terms of how they supported/did not support your hypothesis.

8) What is a possible sociological/theoretical explanation for the trends you observed? This is best done by using our textbook and other sources to provide credibility to your analyses. Analyze your observations using a minimum of 6 sociological concepts and two theories from the textbook.

9) Discuss the differences between your inductive observations and your deductive observations. How did the way you were observing change? How did what you observed change?

10) Briefly describe and compare your thoughts/feelings in the two steps. Did you prefer one approach to the other? Why/why not?

ASSIGNMENT 2: Field Observation II Grading Rubric (max. 100 points)

Category	Outstanding	Above Average	Average	Below Average	Unacceptable
Research Problem/ Question	Clearly identified a specific, measurable research problem. 10	Clearly identified research problem. 8	Identified a research problem; it needs some refining/specification. 6	Research problem unclear, not easily measured. 4	Research problem not specified or very unclear 0-3
Variables identified and operationalized	Clearly identified and operationalized 2+ variables that are clearly used in the research problem 20	Clearly identified and operationalized 2 variables that are clearly used in the research problem. 18	Identified and operationalized 2 variables that are from the research problem 16	Missing one variable or operationalization; or variables not clearly associated with/from research problem 14	Variables incorrect; missing operationalizations; variables unrelated to research problem 0-12
Hypothesis	Succinct hypothesis predicts relationship between two+ variables, based on research problem; in statement form. 10	8	Hypothesis not in statement form; needs to more clearly specify ‘relationship’ between two variables. 6	Hypothesis unclear; does not specify relationship. 4	Hypothesis not related or missing 0-3
Observation Description	Provided thick description of observations with a lot of detail about social setting and socio-demographic characteristics of people observed 10	Needed some elaboration on either social setting or socio-demographic characteristics of people observed 8	Need significantly more detail about social setting or socio-demographic characteristics observed; or some elaboration on both. 6	Observation description lacks detail overall. 4	No description of observations was included 0-3
Analysis with reference to hypothesis using at least 6 class concepts and two theories	Clearly applied relevant sociological theories and 6 concepts from class to analysis of observations. 20	Used two theories and 6 concepts from class to analyze observations 18	Used two theories and 4-5 concepts from class to analyze observations 16	Used 2-3 concepts and one theory from class; need to more clearly use sociological theory and concepts to analyze observations/content analysis 14	Does not use any class concepts/ theory0-12
Compared Inductive to Deductive Approach	Thoughtful discussion about differences between the two approaches; clearly illustrate understanding of the two approaches. 10	Needed some elaboration in discussion. 8	Need significant elaboration about differences between two approaches. 6	Discussion lacks clarity and detail overall. 4	No discussion of comparison 0-3
Reflection	Included description of your experience of the situation 10	8	Need to elaborate on your experience of the situation 6	4	No discussion of your experience of the situation 0-3
APA Formatted Citations	Included APA formatted in-text citations and full references for ALL paraphrased and quoted work from other sources 5	Minor errors in APA formatting of citations 4	Multiple errors in APA formatting of citations 3	Missing some citations, and errors in APA formatting 2	No citations included 0-1
Grammar , Spelling & Style	No spelling, grammar and style issues. 5	A couple of spelling/ grammar and/or style issues 4	Several spelling, grammar, and/or style issues.3	2	So many spelling, grammar and/ or style issues that it is difficult to follow the paper 0-1