Discuss when you might use a qualitative approach to observation, include an evaluation/critique of the approach and contrast it with more quantitative approaches to observation.

Qualitative Data Assignment

Observation as a method of data collection

For this assignment, you are going to observe and analyse a 5-minute video clip of a nursery setting:

I’m scared of thunder!

As you watch this video, take detailed field notes of what you are observing – recording behaviours and relevant dialogue. These notes will go in your appendix and you will use them to demonstrate how you coded the data and developed your themes. You could look at the ‘Qualitative Approach’ slides in Session 12 as an example of a researcher’s field notes (the NVivo screen shot).

In an actual real-world study, it is likely you would continue to analyse further observation data as it is difficult to make any strong claims based on this limited amount of data. However, for the purposes of this assignment, you will only be focused on this 5-minute video.

The broad aim of this study is to examine children’s emotions in nursery settings. It is up to you to decide on a more specific research question.

Suggested plan of report (1000 words)

Introduction: The research question (approx. 10-20 words):
• State your chosen research question. Your question may focus on Heidi’s behaviours, the actions of her peers, the teacher, or interactions between/among the children and adults. The research question should be related to the broad aim of the study, stated above.

Method: Type of analysis (approx. 200 words):
• Describe the type of thematic analysis you used to analyse your data, outlining the different steps you took.

Results (approx. 300 words):

• Identify and describe two key themes, using examples/quotations to support your description.
• Explain how these themes are relevant to your research question.

Discussion (approx. 500 words):

• Reflect on how effective this approach was in terms of addressing your research question. Identify any issues you encountered and how they might be resolved in future studies
• Discuss when you might use a qualitative approach to observation, include an evaluation/critique of the approach and contrast it with more quantitative approaches to observation.

References (not included in word count)

• Include any literature you have used to support your writing/arguments – format according to APA guidelines

Appendix (not included in word count)

• Include your field notes demonstrating how you coded the data (Video 3 in Session 14 gives you an example of one way to do this – codes in one column, field notes in the other).
• Include a table or diagram showing which codes relate to which themes