{
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    "type" : "single",
    "title" : "Observation |Digital.gov",
    "description": "Observation",
    "home_page_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/","feed_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation/index.json","item" : [
    {"title" :"Observation","summary" : "","date" : "2023-07-24T09:00:00-05:00","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","primary_image" : { "uid" : "hcd-discovery-operations", "alt" :
  "Illustration of a man taking a survey and a woman providing a testimonial", "width" :
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  "630", "credit" :
  "Miray Celebi Kaba/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images", "caption" :
  "", "format" :
  "png" },"branch" : "bc-archive-content-3",
      "filename" :"observation.md",
      
      "filepath" :"guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation.md","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-operations/observation/","content" :"\u003ch2 id=\"setting-up-for-a-good-observation\"\u003eSetting up for a good observation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObservations present an opportunity for first-hand understanding of your participants’ experience. Observations, like interviews, have many styles, but a good place to start is to choose one of two broad approaches: fly-on-the-wall or participatory observation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFly-on-the-wall observations mean that the researcher stays silent while the participant accomplishes the task(s) that are pertinent to your project. Take notes and, if possible, pictures, while they accomplish their work, so that you can understand the ins and outs of the system(s) in which they interact.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipatory observation means getting hands-on experience with system(s). This can mean anything from playing a role in the interaction with your participant, to actually learning all or part of the system from the participant so that you can experience it yourself.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn both of these methods, the data you collect will be multi-sensorial. It’s important to note what you see and hear, of course, but also pay attention to what you might touch, or how you might have to move, what smells or distractions there might be. When writing your notes, strive to use expressive language so that you can remember these different sensorial aspects of the observation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"observation-checklist\"\u003eObservation checklist\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse this checklist to prepare the night before you go into observation-based research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-left: 20px\"\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nReview the \u003ca href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/guides/hcd/discovery-concepts/do-research/\"\u003eresearch section of the HCD Discovery Concepts Guide.\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nCheck with the participant the day before to see if specialized gear is needed.\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nReview the participant’s background, and any information you might have on how they work.\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nGather your supplies and pack them: camera, recorder, notebook.\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nHave an idea of which method you might prefer for this observation: fly-on-the-wall or participatory.\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nHave print and digital versions of your interview/conversation guide ready.\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nReview your project elevator pitch.\n\u003c/input\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cinput type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\nFocus. Get yourself mentally ready to deeply listen and interact with another person.\n\u003c/input\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"}
  ]
}