Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Observation Fieldnotes & Reflection
Due: Monday, July 6
Requirements:
• A photocopy of your handwritten field notes
• 2‐3 pages of “thick description” of what you observed. Include diagrams as
necessary.
• 1 page analysis of what conclusions you might draw from your observations. What
evidence do you have for these conclusions?
• 1 page reflection—what was it like sitting there? How did you feel about the
experience? Was it easy to watch and take notes? Why, why note? What were your
own reactions to what you saw/heard?
Observation Directions: For this assignment you will need to sit in a MacDonald’s for 2
hours, observing and taking notes. You can choose the time of day and the location.
When you get there, you will want to sit someplace where you can watch different parts of
the restaurant (the playground, the counter). As soon as you sit down you should describe
what is around you physically. What does the place look like? How is it laid out? What signs
are posted? What about the employees?
Try to take in as much as possible, but it is okay to decide eventually to focus on something
specific—like how people order, or the interactions between the employees and the
customers, the way children are playing, or what people are eating.
Some questions to think about while you observe:
• What are the unwritten rules here?
• What is going on when it looks like nothing is going on?
• Are there gender/race/age differences with employees, customers etc?
• What conversations are taking place? Between whom?
• How does the way the space is laid out shape what happens?
• What does peoples’ appearances and body language say?
Normally, field research would include interviewing participants. For this assignment do
not interview anyone.
It is up to you to decide how much you “participate”—whether or not you want to eat there
(ordering food or a drink etc.), or just sit and watch and take notes.
Soc 357, Wendy Christensen
You should be writing/watching/listening continuously the entire time you’re there. Bring
enough paper and extra pens/pencils!
You can also complete the observation with others in the class. If you do so, make sure that
you do not distract each other from your note‐taking. YOUR observations are what is
important, but it is okay to share a little of your observations with whoever might be there
with you.
Keep in mind that while this is a public setting, people do have some expectation of privacy.
Avoid listening in on obviously private conversations—stick to public interactions.
Grading criteria: 10 points total
• 5 points: How detailed your observation, field notes, and “thick description” are.
• 2 points: Your analysis of what you observed.
• 3 points: Your reflection on the experience.
Soc 357, Wendy Christensen