The interpretation and discussion follow the description. For the first exercise, you should carry out the two steps clearly 3,676 separately from each other. In the first section you should interpret your observation results on at least 1 page.
Again, write from an I/We perspective; normative value judgments are allowed when your subjectivity is emphasized.
What is behind the observation? In doing so, take into account the contextual information that you worked out in part 2.
Can systemic connections be discovered from your individual case observation? Why do you see it that way?
How could it be seen otherwise? Feel free to do without classic source work here and concentrate completely on your personal process of knowledge. See from different points of view, see informed, see systematic, see co-constructing and see questioning!
In the second section you should discuss your interpretation results “in the light of the existing specialist literature” on at least 1 page. Highly source-supported work is required here; Literature references are essential.
Can you support your interpretative conclusions with existing literature?
Are there authors who argue similarly to you?
Are there studies that seem to empirically confirm your exploratory observation qualitatively or quantitatively?
Or do your observation and interpretation results contradict common or prominent views in the specialist literature?
What could be the reason?
Only because of the limitations of your small observational study?
Or are there blind spots in the current research literature that relate to your phenomenon?
In particular, everyday phenomena are astonishingly often insufficiently researched, since there is usually a lack of funds for them.
Note the social-constructivist principles of qualitatively-oriented research and the quality criteria according to Steinke (1999). Please look at the discussed (7.) event slides and do not ask ChatGPT what these quality criteria are; the Al system is not so good at this; it makes you look bad when such misunderstandings appear in your work packages…
Scope: at least 1-page value-free description At least 1 photo with photo description attached at least 1 page of interpretation based on your own findings at least 1 page of literature-based discussion.
In the third part you go into observation. You can make the observation very different; Their choice should be considered to be phenomenon-specifically meaningful.
Either you observe your phenomenon as a group from different perspectives; each person from a literally different point of view. Or you observe a phenomenon in the same place over a period of several hours. Or you observe the same phenomenon in different places at the same time. Other approaches are also possible.
Take notes or dictation of some kind during your observation. Capture and document your phenomenon. Always keep your research question and the meaning of researching seeing in mind.
Consider the extent to which you influence what you observe; an observer-independent observation is usually hardly possible; hence ‘participant observation’. At the same time, you should try to make your presence as an observer as “unspectacular” as possible.
The observed phenomenon should not behave differently because of your observation; So don’t breathe down the necks of the people at the vegetable counter or don’t group with 5 people right next to a box of books… Use the “course time” for your observation. In theory, a lot can be observed in 2 x 90 min x 4/5 people. Please keep this basic idea in mind; 1 hour of observation would be very little.
Back at your desk, you should analyze your phenomenon while being self-critical of both your observation and your analysis.
Begin with a nonjudgmental description.
Describe on at least 1 page what you observed. Write this part from the first person or we perspective, as it is your subjective observation that you describe as neutral as possible. Also consider the different meanings of ‘seeing inquiringly’; so describe your self-observation as impartially as possible.
Your documentation also includes any number of photographs that are intended to depict the phenomenon (at least 1 photograph). In the appendix, describe the conditions under which the picture was taken. Why did you photograph this exact moment / this object / these people? Why did you photograph from this exact vantage point? Why did you choose exactly this section of the picture? Why did you omit some photos? Observe data protection regulations.
How to observe
Gathering visual impressions can mean seeing visual impressions with the eyes. I see the food sharing station standing at the market square, but it can also mean noticing something and noticing that everything is there. I see there’s a food sharing station in my neighborhood. Seeing can mean looking at something in order to determine something. I take a closer look at what products are in the food-sharing station. Seeing what products are in the food-sharing station can also mean looking out for something and discovering it.
I see someone notice the food-sharing station stop for a moment and then see them move on. Can also mean to check something to assess or assess I see I see it so that too few people see using food sharing stations can also mean to visualize something. I can see it in my head like someone hungry standing in front of the empty food sharing station.
Seeing can also mean getting a picture of the whole. I see that social inequality has increased overall in recent years. Seeing can mean experiencing I can see my willingness to some extent through the previous stations I have therefore become clear that seeing goes far beyond the visual perception with the eyes. So if you just describe something visually in the work packages, then you haven’t made it this far in this presentation.