Dig into the tool that is at the heart of qualitative research: the observation. Building off of our previous discussion of research rigor, we will discuss how observational data can add a richness to your research, and participants will learn the basics of observational data collection. Participants will take part in a brief observation exercise and practice the art of taking field notes.

In this event, you will learn to…
• discuss the methods commonly known as participant observation
• argue against or defend key ideas associated with observational methods
• conduct a brief participant observation exercise and explain how principles of qualitative research methods apply to that experience
• Practice how to write high quality field notes and view and critique relevant examples