Observation Paper

Participant Observation Paper Guidelines

You are an ethnographer studying human behavior. You will observe and write about people doing something related
to a topic that interests you (fieldwork) which in your case your topic is DACA (Deferred Action For Childhood
Arrivals). This experience can be really rewarding.
Choose an event or activity that is new to you (DACA (Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals).
Before beginning your fieldwork, you must understand the importance of anthropological ethics. Read the American
Anthropological Association’s Code of Ethics found on their website at:
http://www.americananthro.org/ParticipateAndAdvocate/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1656
During your fieldwork take notes and photos, of course with the permission of those you are working with. (If you are
unable to take notes during the course of your visit, write them as soon as the fieldwork is done). TAKE A PICTURE
OF YOURSELF at your site. Talk to people. Interviews or questioning are essential for getting an emic (native’s point
of view) understanding of what you are observing. Emic refers to the perspective of those you are studying, while etic
refers to the perspective of the researcher who has anthropological training. You will need to use both of these
perspectives in your paper. Good open-ended questions can be simple like “Why do you come here?” or “What does
this event mean to you?” [Remember you are trying to get the native’s (emic) perspective with these questions.]
Write a 7-8 page paper. Make sure you define your topic, state why you chose this subject, include a statement of
ethics (i.e. you have permission to do your fieldwork), clearly describe the cultural scene and activities, summarize
your fieldwork, interpret anthropologically what you observed (very important), write a conclusion, and include
references.*
Make sure to give your paper an interesting title.
_______________________
*Papers should be types with double-spacing and 12 point font.
Please have someone proof read your paper.
For how to cite sources, refer to either the library’s APA and MLA styles. Chicago style is a good one. Microsoft
Word has a function for citations. Go to “References,” then “Insert Citation,” and then “Bibliography.”

Participant Observation Paper Suggested Outline

I. Introduce your topic.
A. What is your main point (thesis) about your participant observation topic?
B. What did you observe and participate in?
C. Why did you choose that? Do you have any personal involvement? (Family member, friend,
coworker)
II. Statement of ethics

2
A. Who gave you permission to be there? Or state that you explained your purpose for interviewing the
people you talked to and let them know they would remain anonymous. B. How did you ask for
permission?
C. Include any difficulties you had with this.
Note: Maybe innclude AAA Code of Ethics as a reference.

III. Observations. Clearly describe from an anthropological perspective what occurred.
A. Date, place, and time
B. Who was there? (Categorize what you saw or break-down participants: e.g. number of men and
women, children, singers, buyers, performers….) And what were they wearing? Did different
people have different roles? What behavioral patterns did you notice? What else was notable? C.
Describe the setting.
D. Describe the procession of the event.
E. Who did you interview? (Make sure you interview/talk-to at least two people).
FOCUS YOUR TIME ON THIS SECTION
IV. Interpret anthropologically what was going on.
A. Try to be as objective as possible. Use your observations and quotes from interviews to support
what you say. Discuss emic versus etic perspectives.
B. Do some research to support your etic perspective (the anthropological perspective). Start with your
textbooks. Use the words and concepts from class and your readings. Define the terms that you use.
C. Contact me if you need help here, particularly since we will not have covered everything before you
start writing your paper.

V. Conclusion
A. Summarize your research through an anthropological lens.
B. Write about your personal feelings, obstacles, tensions, excitement, and how this experience may
have changed the way you look at the world.

VI. References
You must have references. Use your textbook, books, articles, and internet sources. Follow the guidelines from
the tutorials you completed the first week of class.
Information and quotes from your interviews must also be cited. Cite interviews by including the name of the
person interviewed and the date of the interview.

Participant Observation Paper Grading Rubric