Part I – Participant Observation Sociologists use research to collect information about society and apply their findings to everyday life in order to better understand the human condition. Sociologist

SOC/100 v8

Part I – Participant Observation Sociologists use research to collect information about society and apply their findings to everyday life in order to better understand the human condition. Sociologist 1

Field Study Observation Template

Below are examples of ways that a sociologist might take field notes. Use any of these styles to guide your note-taking during your observation for this assignment.

The charts are optional for you to use, and your notes do not need to be turned in with your assignment. You may create your own chart or use another method that works best for you. Change or add the categories or labels as needed for your group of subjects.

Example Field Notes Example A: Table of Subjects

Subject	Estimated Age	Estimated Race or Ethnicity	Estimated Gender or Sex
	Around 12	Hispanic	Male
	Maybe 40	Black	Female
	Late 20’s	White	Other






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Example B: Category Totals

Category	Variable	Mark X for Number Observed
Age	Young/Child
Age	Teen
Age	Adult 20-40’s	XXXX
Age	Adult 40-60’s	XX
Age	Senior
Race/Ethnicity	African American	XX
Race/Ethnicity	Asian
Race/Ethnicity	Caucasian	XXXXX
Race/Ethnicity	Hispanic/Latino
Race/Ethnicity	Biracial/Other
Gender/Sex	Female	XXXXXX
Gender/Sex	Male	XXXXXXXX
Gender/Sex	Other

Example C: Story Journal

Saw the following: A family of five (white, mother and father look middle-aged, 3 kids: 2 boys, 1 girl, all young children). An African-American woman around 50 with a 5-year-old girl. An adult male, appears to be Asian. Two teen girls, likely Hispanic/Latino. Group of four middle-aged women (1 Native American, 1 biracial, 2 white).

Your Field Notes

Collect your field notes in the space below, using one of the note types from above or another method that works best for you. Additionally, include notes on any patterns of behavior and cultural norms that you observe in groups based on age, gender/sex, and race/ethnicity.