A Review of the Participant Observation Method in Journalism: Designing and Reporting

Abstract

The participant observation method involves numerous methodological competencies and procedures, yet no systematic research has been found to date that evaluates the qualitative practice. The method has played a foundational role in the field of journalism and is growing in use among researchers. Despite its contributions to knowledge about organizations, movements, and cultures, the procedures that encompass the method may be unfamiliar or unclear for some researchers according to the literature. The study analyzed journalism researchers’ reporting of methodological information in studies involving news contexts and assessed scholars’ adherence to methodological reporting best practices in 150 journal articles. The results showed participant observation researchers employed data trustworthiness techniques by primarily using qualitative formal interviews and they also provided site selection logic. The results, however, also showed evidence of methodological conceptual ambiguity when referring to participant observation method techniques and low reporting of several specific recommended techniques associated with participation observation. The narrative reflects our desire to help other researchers learn more about the method, while also encouraging methodological transparency to improve the collective understanding of the method. We put forth eight participant observation reporting recommendations rooted in anthropology and sociology to consider when reporting methodological practices. The hope is this introduction and the proposed measures will initiate discussions and support community around the practice of participant observation.

Are educational robots any good for communicative English learning for primary school students?

“…This methodology is very useful for testing and determining which method works best (VIDHIASI DHION, 2018). The uniqueness of classroom observation lies in that data is obtained through interactions with the students in a natural setting with, for example, casual conversation, similar to participant observation (SHIN et al, 2022). Since there is limited knowledge in the effectiveness of educational robots in assisting foreign language classes, this study has used classroom observation to understand both the participants and the capacity and functionality of the pioneering robot.…”

“…Finally, field notes and short video clips taken by the teachers at the school were applied to document the performance of the pioneering robot, the events celebrated, student's personal reactions including body language and tones, their points of view and any unexpected issues. To obtain the whole picture and a comprehensive understanding of the cultural group and their community, chats with the teachers are also implemented to complement participant observation (SHIN et al, 2022).…”

Thinking strategies used by registered nurses during drug administration in nursing homes—An observational study

“…This study used an explorative qualitative design, using observation with a passive approach (Shin & Miller, 2022). Think Aloud (TA) sessions with follow‐up interviews were chosen because this can provide in‐depth insight into the reasoning and decision‐making processes through the participants verbalising their thoughts when performing a task (Fonteyn et al., 1993; Fonteyn & Fisher, 1995; Simmons et al., 2003).…”

Small world sampling: Qualitative sample reliability and validity for efficient and effective recruitment of journalists as research participants

“…Indeed, access barriers require researchers to make substantive adjustments to their research plans (Ellersgaard et al, 2021). However, researchers who have an initial contact person to facilitate introductions have found it easier to obtain organizational access and cooperation among potential participants, even for relatively intrusive newsroom ethnographies or participant-observation (Clausen, 2003;Shin and Miller, 2022), some even multiple times (Anderson, 2017).…”

“…Moreover, they note that “Getting access is even more difficult in newsroom observation studies … Hence, news observation studies are perhaps the most difficult any kind of journalism studies, without personal connections that provide needed access to the newsroom.” Indeed, access barriers require researchers to make substantive adjustments to their research plans (Ellersgaard et al, 2021). However, researchers who have an initial contact person to facilitate introductions have found it easier to obtain organizational access and cooperation among potential participants, even for relatively intrusive newsroom ethnographies or participant-observation (Clausen, 2003; Shin and Miller, 2022), some even multiple times (Anderson, 2017).…”