ABSTRACT
Observation is a strategy in qualitative research that helps researchers to become familiar with an online or conventional setting by systematically and ethically recording what they see and hear ‘in the field’. It can be used as a qualitative method in its own right, or as a way of collecting data in ethnographic, grounded theory, action research approaches and in case studies. The chapter discusses:
• the nature of observation in qualitative research; • different types of observation, including Internet based; • the different dimensions of the setting which help to focus the research; • how to collect the data and raise appropriate questions about what is being
observed; • the importance of keeping fieldnotes and a field diary; • specific issues related to observation of online activities.
