Lecture on Observational Focus

Introduction

• Focus is crucial in observation
• Inspired by James Bradley's classic work (1980)
  • Shows steps to build focus into observation
• Uses a funnel metaphor to explain the process

Steps in Observation (According to Spradley)

1. Descriptive Observations

• Purpose: Create a general description of the study subject (e.g., group, area)
• Types: Grand Tour and Mini Tour
  • Grand Tour: Broad description using 9 dimensions of social situations:
    1. Space
    2. Actor
    3. Activity
    4. Object
    5. Act
    6. Event
    7. Time
    8. Goal
    9. Feeling
  • Mini Tour: More focused, combining two dimensions for detailed observation (e.g., activity + time)
• Example: Sidewalk book sellers (Mitchell Duneier's study)
  • Issues from urban planners, social dynamics, seller behavior

2. Focused Observations

• Step away from broad view to more specific interests
• Align with research questions
• Identify striking or intriguing findings
• Development of taxonomies and deeper categories
  • Example: How book sellers communicate with different customers

3. Selective Observations

• Narrow down observation to most critical comparisons and nuances
• Seek more evidence or contradictory evidence
• Use triangulation with other materials (documents, interviews)
• Outcomes: Tested taxonomies and validated relations

Other Works on Creating Focus

• DeWalt and DeWalt's Approach
  • Start with descriptive observations: What is happening? Regular vs. unique?
  • Look for variation and exceptions
  • Seek more specific examples, systematic observation
  • Aim for generalization and understanding change over time

Conclusion

• Creating focus is essential in observational research
• Multiple methodologies exist but share the common theme of funneling from broad to specific observations