OBSERVATION TIPS: HOW TO GET THE

MOST FROM WATCHING

Part I

Induction vs. Deduction: What’s Your Style?

Big picture first?

You form an overall impression first. Then you review details to check and possibly modify your impression.

Small pieces first?You carefully observe details first. You use the details to form a central impression.Which one describes how you approach

observation?

Both approaches work. Neither is better…but knowing which is more comfortable will help you to choose an effective strategy for observing and crafting your notes.

If your approach is inductive• form your

impressions • then look

carefully to gather evidence from the environment

• Caution: What you glean from the details may cause you to modify your first impression!

If your approach is deductive• Carefully and

thoroughly collect details

• Organize the details into meaningful categories or chunks

• Draw impressions from your details and use the details to support the impression.

Fixing on a Place: Identifying Concrete Physical Details

Basic Elements: DateTime PlaceExact

Location

Inside/OutsideRoomPeople

(physical arrangement)

Artifacts within the room

Orientation

POSITIVE MOOD WORDS   NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS

Light-hearted   TensePlayful   GloomyTender   Violent

Enlightened   InsidiousOptimistic   PessimisticLiberating   Confining

Warm   ColdHopeful   Hopeless

Nostalgic   HauntingPeaceful   Nightmarish

Welcoming   HostileHarmonious   Suspenseful

Trustful   ForebodingVivacious   PainfulConfident   Threatening

Idyllic   DesolateSympathetic   Merciless

Joyous   TerrifyingDignified   BarrenEcstatic   Vengeful

Empowered   HeartbrokenInclusive

BUT….

The key is

SHOWINGNOT

TELLING

Instead of using the

atmosphere/ mood words, use details to

SHOW the atmosphere.

Try It!

What do you see?

Inductive: What is your impression of this room? What feeling do you get from it?

Deductive: What details stand out to you? What impression do these details create?

There is no right answer here.

However, the picture of this room should have prompted you to think about the purpose of this room and the feeling you get from the artifacts in it as well as the color scheme.

People: Perception

Body language

Demeanor

Facial expression

Posture

Head position

Look: Listen:Voice Quality

Assertive?

Timid?

Loud?

Quiet?

Aggressive?

People Watching 101:

It’s all about REACTIONS• To others• To the setting• To the environment

Group vs. Individual• Are most people reacting similarly?• Are individuals reacting differently?Group dynamics• Supportive and comfortable?• Involved?• Focused?• Disinterested? Bored? • Tense?

Use your senses!

Sight:

Sound:

Smell **

Taste

Physical sense (touch, texture, temperature)

Try It:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m3yC_hhr3E

Watch this short clip from a television sitcom, and pay special attention to the body and facial language of the actors.

• What do they reveal? • What subtle and overt cues let you know what they

are thinking?

Now you know what to look for, but how can you take notes in a room where you are not allowed to take notes or record?

Plan ahead!

Structure of the Meeting: Opening Ritual Organization Parts/Sections Artifacts (texts, symbols) Closing

Think ahead about what you will be seeing and what it might look like:

Preparation:Draw a map ahead of time

Use the map to prompt memory after the meeting (fill in with details, impressions)

Brain DumpSoak up as much information

as you can while the meeting is going on

Write down as many specific details as you can immediately after the meeting

Later (allow some time to pass), write your impressions