Observation in the Social Sciences
Introduction to Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology
HSP 3U
TASK:
For this assignment you will:
 Monitor social groups for a total of two hours and gather field notes using unstructured observation
 Track your data through research notes that include a data tracking sheet, timeline as well as a map of where
the observation took place
 Present your findings using the Inquiry Model
 Summarizes the challenges you encountered as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this research
method. Develop an extension question that you would pose for further research.
POTENTIAL TOPICS:
 Do teens respect authority figures?
 Are women more patient than men?
 Do male students bring their lunch more often
than female students?


Does the community accept people who are
different?
Other:_________________________
TIPS:
 Select ONE social setting
 Your inquiry must be about something that you can observe in a social setting.
 Your inquiry must be something that you track numerically (quantitative)
It is important to choose a setting that is of interest to you. Here are some options for the social setting:
-School cafeteria
-School library or public library
-A religious institution (church/temple)
-Shopping mall
-Movie theatre foyer
-Public transit bus
-OR any other setting where you can examine social groups
STRUCTURE OF REPORT:
1. Title Page
 Title of observation
 Course name and course code
 Student name
 Teacher name
 Date
 Number of pages
2. Research Notes
 Timeline with point form notes
 Data Tracking Sheet
 Map of area observed
3. Challenges and Advantages/Disadvantages
4. Findings Using the Inquiry Model
 Maximum 1000 words (4 pages) - excluding charts, figures and research notes
 1 inch margins
 11 point font, Calibri only
Your inquiry question and hypothesis should be about something of interest to you. It is important to choose a
statement/question that can be proven correct/incorrect by further research. Your hypothesis statement must be
initialed by the teacher before research begins. The DUE DATE for this assignment is
Tuesday Sept. 24th 2013 at the beginning of class.
Observation in the Social Sciences
The Report - In Detail
This is a formal, written report (much like a lab report in science). It should be neatly laid out with the following
subtitles, and 3-4 pages long.
1) Research Question
2) Hypothesis
3) Method – Explain in detail why you decided to observe your setting, how you observed the people, and how you
avoided bias and ethical issues.
4) Analysis - What were your results? Use your data (in percentage form) to support your response.
5) Visual analysis - You must have one graph showing only your MOST IMPORTANT finding. Easiest way is to you
Microsoft Excel. There are many useful instruction websites available on the net.
6) Conclusion - Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Was there enough data to draw valid conclusions? An
incorrect hypothesis is NOT a wrong answer.
7) Evaluation – THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!
Write a short paragraph which addresses the following questions:
What problems did you encounter? What would you do differently next time? What other questions or areas of
research came to light as a result of your research? Are there ethical problems with your research? Are there reliability
issues with your research?
Evaluation:
Name ___________________________
Criteria
Knowledge &
Understanding
Understanding of
challenges as well
as advantages and
disadvantages of
research methods
Not
Demonstrated
Issues:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Demonstrates
limited
understanding
of challenges as
well as
advantages and
disadvantages
of research
method
Employs the
inquiry model
with limited
effectiveness
Demonstrates
some
understanding
of challenges as
well as
advantages and
disadvantages
of research
method
Employs the
inquiry model
with adequate
effectiveness
Written with
moderate
clarity; some
parts are
difficult to
understand;
several errors in
spelling and
grammar
Research notes
are adequate in
detail and
scope
Demonstrates
considerable
understanding
of challenges as
well as
advantages and
disadvantages
of research
method
Employs the
inquiry model
with
considerable
effectiveness
Written with
considerable
clarity;
relatively easy
to understand;
few errors in
spelling and
grammar
Demonstrates
exceptional
understanding
of challenges as
well as
advantages and
disadvantages
of research
method
Employs the
inquiry model
with
exceptional
effectiveness
Written with a
high degree of
clarity; easy to
understand; no
errors in
spelling and
grammar
Research notes
are sound in
detail and
scope
Research notes
are thorough in
detail and
scope
Thinking & Inquiry
Findings based on
employment
of inquiry model
Issues:
Communication
Appropriate
spelling, grammar,
and punctuation
Issues:
Written with
limited clarity;
difficult to
understand;
many errors in
spelling and
grammar
Application
Depth of Research
notes
Issues:
Research notes
are limited in
detail and
scope
What I liked about your assignment:
What you might like to try next time: