fältobservation

Fältobservation (field observation) is a qualitative research method in which researchers observe people, activities, and events in their natural settings to understand behaviors and interactions as they occur. It can be conducted as participant observation, where the researcher takes part in the setting, or as non-participant observation, where the researcher remains an outside observer. Observations may be structured with predefined categories or unstructured to capture emergent patterns.

Data collection centers on detailed field notes, jottings, and memos, often supplemented by audio or video recordings with informed consent. Researchers may employ purposive or theoretical sampling to select settings or cases that illuminate the research question. Analysis typically relies on coding and thematic interpretation, with triangulation used to corroborate findings across sources and methods.

Fältobservation offers ecological validity and rich contextual detail that experiments may not provide. It is well suited to study social interactions, everyday practices, classrooms, workplaces, and cultural processes. Limitations include potential observer bias and the influence of the observer on participants (the Hawthorne effect), time demands, and limited generalizability. Ethical considerations are central and include obtaining informed consent where appropriate, protecting confidentiality, minimizing disruption, and respecting local norms.

Typical workflow involves planning and access, establishing rapport, conducting observations, recording data, and engaging in iterative analysis. Reflexivity—reflecting on how the observer’s background shapes interpretations—is often emphasized. Fältobservation remains a foundational approach in anthropology, sociology, education, and user experience research for gaining nuanced, in-context insights.