Writer’s Journal #11

Background

Sometimes researchers are too quick to dismiss observation as a viable research methodology. Rigorous observation may not work as a sole research methodology for many research projects, but it can provide valuable insight when combined with other research tools.

Purpose

In Writer’s Journal #10, you reflected on the potential, general uses of primary research for your larger research project. In this journal entry you will explore more deeply how observation specifically might help you approach aspects of your research project.

Skills and Outcomes

• Producing the most current iteration of a central research question (Critical Thinking, Reading, and Composing; Processes)
• Inferring how rigorous observation might provide valuable perspective on the central research question and larger research project (Critical Thinking, Reading, and Composing; Processes)

Habits of Mind Practiced

• Openness
• Persistence
• Flexibility
• Metacognition

Tasks

• Your journal entry should produce the most current version of your central research question.
• Your entry should also reflect on how structured, rigorous observation might help you to approach your central research question and larger research question.
  • What context(s) might you conduct direct observation in? (Where could you conduct observation?)
  • Who is the potential audience for your larger research project, and why would they value or not value observation as a data source for your project?
  • If you were to use direct observation for your larger project, how might it affect the current phrasing of your central research question?

*NOTE: There are many different ways to approach these tasks, but you should aim to be as thorough as possible in your response (approximately 500 words is a good target length).

Criteria for Success

In each Writer’s Journal, you should:

• clearly address each question or task;
• employ many details, examples, and explanations in answering each question or task; and,
• create an internally organized text, employing sentences (or notes where applicable) that clearly relate to one another.