![]() With time and acceptance of the research, the effect may become less, but it is still difficult to claim pure objectivity in observational research, especially when the researcher is talking part directly in the culture of the researched. Even with direct observation, there can be an effect from having the researcher in the room – people’s behaviour may not be normal, and maybe modified if participants have a sense of being watched or judged (see the Hawthorne Effect). However there are also methodological limitations to observation. Here ethnographers may look at a wide range of organisations from parliament ( Crewe 2018) to a steel mill in Sheffield ( Ahrens and Mollona 2007). One specific field of observational research is ‘Organisational Ethnography’, where researchers look at organisations, management or work places. It does not need to involve the actual task or skill being researched – for example in an ethnography of two tattoo parlours the author “helped maintain files of tattoo designs, working behind the front desk” although eventually got tattoos herself ( Velliquette 1998). Typically, a participant observer would offer to get involved by volunteering, doing some useful task like taking minutes or driving people around – essentially doing favours that let them help out while being able to see what is going on. Taking part in the culture/activity can also provide a ‘Walk two moons in their moccasins’ revelation, allowing the researcher to fully understand and empathise with the decisions and actions of participants. However, participant observation can allow for a deeper level of understanding, embedding and acceptance from the study group, allowing for more significant insights. There are advantages to both approaches: for example it’s easier to observe and take notes with direct observation, while during participant observation you may be actively taking part in the meeting / surfboarding session ( Kawulich 2005). The second is direct observation, where the researcher does not take part in the activity or setting, but is more of a fly on the wall – passively watching and recording what is happening. The first is participant observation in which the researcher becomes part of and gets involved in the context, area or group they are studying. ![]() ![]() There are broadly two types of observation. While some of this may be reflexive (the participants own thoughts and feelings) most focuses on the activities and interactions of the people being studied. In ethnography, anthropologists (people who study people) turn their observations of people, cultures and organisations into written field notes (a bit like a research diary). Essentially, observation is a type of, or more likely, a part of ethnography.
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