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1© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
See the PDE booklet, Collecting evaluation data: Direct observationshttp://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/G3658-05.pdf
Using observation to collect evaluation data
2© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Checking in…
– Who has used observation as a data collection method?
– What are your experiences with it?
– Who is hoping to use it – How?
3© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Participant observation: What it is
4© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Quantitative vs. qualitative methods
Quantitative Qualitative
Survey Observation
Tests Interview
Questionnaire Focus group
5© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Observation…
Involves all 5 senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste
observation
includes more than just “seeing”
6© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Use in program evaluation
• When you want direct information• When you are trying to understand an
ongoing behavior, process, unfolding situation, or event
• When there is physical evidence, products, or outcomes that can be readily seen
• When written or other data collection methods seem inappropriate
7© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Observations
Advantages– Provides direct
information; not dependent upon someone’s response
– Unobtrusive– See things in
natural context– Flexible;
discovery oriented
Disadvantages– Observer’s presence
may create artificial situation
– Potential for bias– Time consuming– Requires diligence,
preparation– Challenging to collect
data while participating
8© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Observation – Ethical issues
• Unobtrusiveness is its greatest strength; also potential for abuse in invasion of privacy
• You can venture into places and gather data almost anywhere so questions re. what is ethical– Overt vs. covert
• Remember our Human Subjects Protection guidelines– Consent form for participating in an
observational study Consider cultural appropriateness of using observation
9© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
What are the implications for using observation as an evaluation data collection method?
10© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Participant observation: How to do it?
11© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
What to observe• People (individuals, groups,
communities)– Characteristics – Interactions– Behaviors– Reactions
• Physical settings• Environmental features• Products/physical artifacts
Observing what does not happen may be as important as observing what does happen
12© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Types of observation
Structured UnstructuredLooking for vs. Looking at
Sometimes we have something specific we want to observe – leadership skills; level of participation; etc. We use a structured, preset guide of what to observe or a checklist.
Sometimes we want to see what is naturally occurring or exists without predetermined ideas. We use have an open-ended approach to observation and record all that we observe
13© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Practice: Structured/unstructured observations
Imagine you are sitting in a room where ten youth are sitting at computers learning about Web 2.0 applications.1) If you want to assess to what extent
students are interested and learning, what specifically would you look (listen) for?
2) If you aren’t sure what specifically indicates student interest or learning and you want to see what is going on during the demonstration, how would you proceed?
14© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Example – Observing participation in an after school program
• Who you will observe: youth attending the program
• What you will observe: – Age, gender– Length of time student stays in the
program– Involvement in activities: which activities
• Level of involvement – Interactions with other youth; with staff
• When you will observe: all hours the program is open for one week each month during 2007
15© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Recording your observations
It is not good enough to just observe, you need to systematically record your observations. You might use:
– Observation guide– Recording sheet– Checklist– Field note– Picture– Combination of the above
16© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Sample Observation GuidesGuide for structured observations Guide for unstructured observations
17© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Structured observation guide used for pre and post program evaluation
18© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Field Notebook
Notebooks to record and collect observations as they occur
19© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Who does the observations?
• You – program staff• Participants - Youth• Parents• Teachers• Volunteers • Other stakeholders• Colleagues
20© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Training – preparation/orientation may be necessary
– To learn what to look for – To learn how to record observations– To practice– To ensure that observations across
sites are consistent: observers use the same methods, rate an observation in same way
21© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
How well do you observe?
22© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
23© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Becoming a skilled observer includes…
• Learning to pay attention, see what there is to see, and hear what there is to hear;
• Practice in writing descriptively;• Acquiring discipline in recording notes;• Knowing how to separate detail from trivia;• Using rigorous methods to validate and
triangulate observations;• Reporting the strengths and limitations of
one’s own perspective» M.Q. Patton, 2002. Qualitative Research and
Evaluation Methods. Sage, pg 260
24© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Data analysis and interpretation
Qualitative data = qualitative data analysis– Standard content analysis
• Get to know your data• Focus the analysis• Categorize information• Identify patterns and connections• Interpret – bring it all together
PDE booklet: Analyzing Qualitative Data http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/G3658-12.pdf
25© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Practice your observation skills everyday in everyway!
And, add observation
to your data collection toolbox.
26© 2009 University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Program Development and Evaluation
Steps in planning for observation• Determine who/what will be observed.• Determine aspects that will be observed
(characteristics, attributes, behaviors, etc.).
• Determine where and when observations will be made.
• Develop the observation guide• Pilot test the observation guide• Train the observers and have them
practice.• Conduct the observations • Analyze and interpret the collected
information.• Write up and use your findings.