A study note on the lightweight way to conduct participant observation: for MBA students

A study note on the lightweight way to conduct participant observation: for MBA students (information from poe.com)

My question 1: "Some of my part-time MBA students learning research methods and doing dissertation projects are not familiar with the research method of participant observation. They are concerned that, doing a 6-month dissertation project on a part-time basis, whether there is a lightweight way to employ participant research method in their dissertation project work. Could you offer some advice in this regard? Tks."

The reply: "Here are some lightweight approaches for employing participant observation in a part-time MBA dissertation project:

1. Define Clear Research Questions

• Focus on specific aspects of behavior or interactions relevant to your study. This will help streamline your observations.

2. Select a Limited Context

• Choose a specific setting (e.g., a local business, a community event) where you can observe interactions relevant to your topic. This reduces the scope and makes it manageable.

3. Shorter Observation Periods

• Instead of long-term immersion, conduct shorter, focused observation sessions (e.g., a few hours per week). This allows for sufficient data collection without overwhelming your schedule.

4. Use a Structured Framework

• Develop a checklist or framework to guide your observations. This can help you focus on key behaviors or interactions that align with your research questions.

5. Combine Methods

• Use participant observation alongside other methods like surveys or interviews. This can provide a more rounded perspective while allowing you to gather data more efficiently.

6. Document Observations Effectively

• Keep a research diary or use audio notes to quickly capture observations. This will make data analysis easier later.

7. Engage with Participants

• Build rapport with participants to enhance the quality of your observations. This can also provide deeper insights during discussions.

8. Ethical Considerations

• Ensure you have consent from participants for your observations. Keep ethical guidelines in mind throughout your research.

9. Pilot Your Approach

• Conduct a small pilot observation to refine your method and see what works best for your research questions.

10. Time Management

• Plan your schedule ahead to balance your dissertation work with other commitments. Set specific goals for each observation session to stay focused.

By adopting these strategies, your students can effectively incorporate participant observation into their research without it becoming too burdensome given their part-time commitments."

My question 2: "Could you offer a few brief examples to illustrate your suggestions?"

The reply: "Here are a few brief examples to illustrate the suggestions for using participant observation in a lightweight manner:

1. Define Clear Research Questions

• Example: A student studying team dynamics might ask, "How do team members communicate during project meetings?"

2. Select a Limited Context

• Example: Observing a local startup's weekly team meetings instead of multiple organizations to focus on specific interactions.

3. Shorter Observation Periods

• Example: Attending a two-hour meeting once a week for a month instead of full-day sessions over several months.

4. Use a Structured Framework

• Example: Creating a checklist that includes categories like "verbal communication," "non-verbal cues," and "decision-making moments" to guide observations.

5. Combine Methods

• Example: Observing customer interactions in a retail setting while also conducting short surveys with customers afterward to gather their feedback.

6. Document Observations Effectively

• Example: Using a voice recorder during observations to capture thoughts and insights for later analysis.

7. Engage with Participants

• Example: After observing a meeting, having informal conversations with team members to gain deeper insights into their perspectives.

8. Ethical Considerations

• Example: Providing participants with a consent form explaining the study and ensuring they know they can withdraw at any time.

9. Pilot Your Approach

• Example: Conducting a preliminary observation session to test the framework and refine focus areas based on initial findings.

10. Time Management

• Example: Setting aside specific evenings each week dedicated solely to observation and analysis, with clear goals for what to achieve in each session.

These examples can help your students visualize how to apply participant observation effectively within their time constraints."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.