Observation of context is a qualitative research tool to help understand context and to show what people do. This tool involves collecting data using one’s senses. It is about getting a perspective or opinion on what is happening, what’s going on, who you’d like to spend more time with.
Name of Method
Brief description
Type/Level of Method
Challenges
Problem, Purpose and Needs
This is a guide for an individual researcher or a group of researchers to use within their chosen setting (e.g. a town, organisation or group). It is likely to take more than one observation to get a complete picture and observations may change as more is learned about the group/ place being observed.
Relevance to Climate Neutrality
Challenges
Thematic Areas
Impact Goals
Issue Complexity
Issue Polarisation
Enabling Condition
Essential Considerations for Commissioning Authorities
Engagement Journey
Governance Models and Approaches
Enabling Conditions
Democratic Purpose
Spectrum of participation
Communication Channels
Actors and Stakeholder Relationships
Participant Numbers
Actors and Stakeholders
Participant Recruitment
Interaction between participants
Format
Social Innovation Development Stage
Scope
Time commitment
Each observation is likely to require at least one researcher and a minimum of two hours of time
Resources and Investments
Typical duration
Resources and Investments
In-house
Step by Step
Use the ethnographic observation template to take notes of the observation process. This includes:
The space: Layout of the physical setting. Other observation such as location, time of year, temperature, etc.
Actors: Observation of people involved.
Activities: The various activities of the actors.
Objects: Physical elements.
Acts: Specific individual actions.
Events: Particular occasions.
Time: The sequence of events.
Goals: What actors are attempting to accomplish.
Feelings: Emotions in particular contexts.
Evaluation
Not applicable
Connecting Methods
Connected to other SI Development Stage
Flexibility and Adaptability
Not applicable
Existing Guidelines and Best Practice
Not applicable
References and Further Resources
https://www.siscodeproject.eu/repository/tools/obversation-of-context