LIS 510: Information Behavior

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Observation Component to Project

Due Tuesday, May 13th by 2:30pm

Observation Study

You will conduct an observation of information behavior in a field setting related to your project. The only restriction is that I do not want you to observe others who do the same work that you do (e.g., nurses should not observe nurses who work at the same place they do, but could observe patients - only if you are not doing so while you are working as a nurse).

To ensure that your observation is unobtrusive, try to dress like your participants, etc., so you blend into the setting and fill a natural role.

Try to observe the participants in your setting either over an extended period of time (i.e., several hours) or during a few different periods.

Record what you learned about information flow at the setting you chose, and reflect on the observation process in terms of methodological issues.  

Specifically, in your field notes:

• Describe the type of setting, its purpose when you were there and your observer role, diagram the setting’s lay-out, and record who was present and why (to the best of your knowledge). 

• Note what types of information were available and how that information functions within the setting. 

• Where possible, document the types of information that people sought or shared and the sources that they used. 

• Note any barriers to information flow that you observed. 

Reflect on how your observations relate to issues, concepts, or models that we have discussed in class. Summarize your reflections in a 1-2 page paper.

Turn in your field notes and your reflections paper. Also, prepare a brief description (~5-10 minutes) of your observations or findings and present them in class. You may bring transparencies if you like, but we won't have time for a PowerPoint presentation.