Observation Of A Video Segment Last Week You Began Building
Observation Of A Video Segmentlast Week You Began Building Your Skill
Observation of a Video Segment Last week, you began building your skills in observation by observing a photograph and a public setting. This week, you will be performing a similar activity by observing a video segment. However, for this activity, you will look for something specific instead of generally observing everything. You will then share your results and compare notes with your classmates. Develop a question, such as a research question, or select something specific to focus your observation. For example, you may focus on how the participants interact with the setting, or how the participants interact with or react to one another. Once you have selected a focus, observe the video segment. You may view the video segment more than one time, but you are not required to do so. For the discussion thread for week 6, we will use the media element labeled "Corporate Meeting." Once you have completed the observation, compare your observation experience this week (a focused observation) to the ones you completed last week (open observations). What are some best practices you have discovered? What techniques should you remember for future observations? What do you need to take into consideration while observing (the role of the researcher, context, environment, etc.)? With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 3, three paragraphs: Two paragraphs that include the statement or question that focused your observation of the video segment and the results of your observation. One paragraph comparison of the open observation techniques and considerations you used last week to the directed observation techniques and considerations you encountered this week.
Paper For Above instruction
In observing the "Corporate Meeting" video segment, my primary focus was on how participants interacted with one another, specifically analyzing nonverbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. My research question centered around understanding how these nonverbal interactions influenced the perceived engagement and hierarchy within the group. During the observation, I noted that participants frequently used nodding and leaning forward to show attentiveness, while instances of crossing arms or avoiding eye contact suggested disengagement or disagreement. These subtle cues revealed underlying tensions and hierarchies that might not have been obvious through verbal communication alone. For example, some individuals dominated the conversation through assertive gestures, while others remained passive or disengaged, evident through minimal participation and closed body language. This focused observation allowed me to notice patterns in behavior and social dynamics that could easily be overlooked in a more general, open observation approach.
Comparing this focused observation to the open observation methods used last week, I found that the latter involved a broader, more diffuse process without specific criteria. Last week, my goal was to simply observe and note overall impressions of the setting; I paid attention to environment, participant actions, and contextual elements without emphasis on particular behaviors. In contrast, this week’s directed observation was more systematic, allowing me to concentrate on specific interactions, which yielded more detailed and focused insights. The key takeaways for future observations include the importance of establishing clear focus questions beforehand, which guides the observation process and enhances data accuracy. Additionally, considering the observer’s role—remaining unbiased and unobtrusive—and being mindful of the context, such as the formal setting of a corporate meeting, are crucial for gathering valid data. Overall, directed observation techniques promote a more disciplined and insightful analysis, whereas open observation is valuable for gaining initial impressions or exploring new environments without preconceived notions.
References
- Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
- DeWalt, K. M., & DeWalt, B. R. (2010). Participant Observation: A Guide for Fieldworkers. Rowman & Littlefield.
- Kawulich, B. B. (2005). Participant observation as a data collection method. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 6(2).
- Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods. Sage Publications.
- Spradley, J. P. (1980). Participant Observation. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
- Silverman, D. (2013). Doing Qualitative Research. Sage Publications.
- Lindlof, T. R., & Taylor, B. C. (2017). Qualitative Communication Research Methods. Sage Publications.
- Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. Jossey-Bass.
- Gomm, R. (2004). Social Research Methodology: A Critical Introduction. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Seidman, I. (2013). Interviewing as Qualitative Research. Teachers College Press.