OBSERVATION TOPIC: observing a personal trainer (with consent) training an individual (with consent) for one hour at the gym.

You will be asked to do an observation for a period of one hour. This activity will involve:

. taking notes by hand when you are observing – your role will be observer-as-participant

. writing down your reactions after the task is completed (what went right and what went wrong). ** This is an important step, most of you will use this information in the last paper.

. writing a 10 page paper (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font)
including the following sections:

1. Introduction (one page maximum, double space)

. explain how you prepared for the exercise (fieldwork preparation)

. explain how people who were observed reacted to your presence in the setting

2. Core of the paper: transcription of your fieldnotes – with initial coding on the side of the transcription (8 pages, single spaced)

. transcribe your observation notes (single space), leaving about 2 inches in the right margin for your initial coding.

. perform the initial coding

3. Conclusion (one page maximum, double space)
. comment on the exercise – how did you feel when observing? How satisfied are you of your experience?

Category: Essays