The Use of Observation and Visual Methods to explore Social Inclusion on Campus
Introduction
Observation and visual methods are increasingly gaining recognition for their use in qualitative research. Also referred to as ethnographic or photovoive research methods, they are considered as studies that offer an opportunity to get an orientation into the native cultures, practices as well as an understanding of the social setting through observations, learning of local language and participating in normal activities (Pauwels, 2015). These studies are useful as they focus on the social settings and the community, provide the first hand and inside perception of reality, and offer opportunity to gain knowledge of hidden values(Lombard, 2013).
Observation …show more content…
In the social inclusion research, the students had the flexibility to express what they understood as well as the freedom to take images and conduct interviews based on their own understanding of the subject without the influence of the leading investigators.
Observation and visual methods are useful in simplifying the findings for easy interpretation and utilization by the local communities, the study participants and researchers(Clark, 2011). For the social inclusion study, the students were actively involved in suggesting possible descriptions of the captured images as well as attaching voices to bring out meaningful interpretations.
Observation and visual methods are useful to address information-related bias in social research because of continuous participation and involvement. The biases are often the consequences of lack of knowledge and inability of the participants to read or write. The methods, therefore, help to promote recalls by the participants since the researcher becomes part of the community(Pauwels, 2015). For example, engagement of the students as researchers at the same time participants minimised recall bias since there was continuous flow of knowledge of the …show more content…
They do not require pre-fieldwork models such as experiments and surveys. This allows the flexibility to make necessary changes in the research direction based on the findings(Lombard, 2013). In addition, these methods facilitate in distribution of duties by making the researcher as an additional resource to the operation of the routine activities while making observations (Els et al., 2015). Instead of recruiting data collectors, the students, as researchers, took up this role in the social inclusion study thereby minimising the costs and
Introduction
Observation and visual methods are increasingly gaining recognition for their use in qualitative research. Also referred to as ethnographic or photovoive research methods, they are considered as studies that offer an opportunity to get an orientation into the native cultures, practices as well as an understanding of the social setting through observations, learning of local language and participating in normal activities (Pauwels, 2015). These studies are useful as they focus on the social settings and the community, provide the first hand and inside perception of reality, and offer opportunity to gain knowledge of hidden values(Lombard, 2013).
Observation …show more content…
In the social inclusion research, the students had the flexibility to express what they understood as well as the freedom to take images and conduct interviews based on their own understanding of the subject without the influence of the leading investigators.
Observation and visual methods are useful in simplifying the findings for easy interpretation and utilization by the local communities, the study participants and researchers(Clark, 2011). For the social inclusion study, the students were actively involved in suggesting possible descriptions of the captured images as well as attaching voices to bring out meaningful interpretations.
Observation and visual methods are useful to address information-related bias in social research because of continuous participation and involvement. The biases are often the consequences of lack of knowledge and inability of the participants to read or write. The methods, therefore, help to promote recalls by the participants since the researcher becomes part of the community(Pauwels, 2015). For example, engagement of the students as researchers at the same time participants minimised recall bias since there was continuous flow of knowledge of the …show more content…
They do not require pre-fieldwork models such as experiments and surveys. This allows the flexibility to make necessary changes in the research direction based on the findings(Lombard, 2013). In addition, these methods facilitate in distribution of duties by making the researcher as an additional resource to the operation of the routine activities while making observations (Els et al., 2015). Instead of recruiting data collectors, the students, as researchers, took up this role in the social inclusion study thereby minimising the costs and