Observational skills
Objective
The purpose of this assignment is to develop your observational skills as a social worker,
enabling you to analyze and reflect on human behavior, social dynamics, and environmental
influences in real-world settings. You will observe a specific event, group, or interaction, and
create detailed field notes that capture your observations objectively, analyze the context, and
reflect on the implications for social work practice.
Assignment Instructions
1. Select an Event or Setting
Choose an event, group activity, or setting. This could be any sports game where you are a
spectator, a concert, a family outing, a community meeting, a religious meeting, a school
setting, any public outdoor/ indoor event, the food court at the mall, a coffee shop, a work
meeting or event, or any public environment where social interactions are evident and can be
observed. Ensure that your presence does not interfere with the event and obtain necessary
permissions if you are not observing in a place that is open to the public.
NOTE: DO NOT SELECT THE CHAPTER FROM Righteous Dopefiends. This must be a current, real-
time, live event.
2. Prepare for the Observation
Before the event or setting, familiarize yourself with the context. If possible, understand the
purpose of the event or setting, the participants involved, and any relevant background
information that will help guide your observation.
3. Conduct the Observation (Field Notes)
Spend 30 minutes to 1 hour observing the event without participating or interfering. Take
detailed field notes that are objective and descriptive.
Note: DO NOT RECORD THE EVENT/SETTING. The point of this is to take notes on what you are
observing in that moment, which is similar to what you would do when meeting with a client(s)
as a social worker.
Focus on the following elements:
Physical Environment: Describe the setting, including the layout, atmosphere, and any
environmental factors that may influence the participants. Provide the date, time, and
place.
Participants: Note the demographic characteristics of the participants (age, gender,
ethnicity, etc.) without making assumptions. Identify key individuals or groups and their
roles.
Interactions and Behaviors: Observe verbal and non-verbal communication, group
dynamics, power relations, conflicts, cooperation, and emotional expressions.
Contextual Factors: Consider any social, cultural, or environmental factors that may
impact the event or interactions.
NOTE: Handwritten field notes are acceptable. When you submit your final document, you will
scan and insert the notes into your final document.
4. Converting Your Field Notes into Narrative Form (see pg. 47-49 in our text)
Your field notes MUST have the following sections. Use headings.
Abbreviations: Create abbreviations and what they mean, following the example found on
pg. 36 of our text
Descriptive Notes: Document the event in detail using objective language. Focus on \’what
happened\’ without adding your interpretation.
Analysis Notes: Analyze the observation.
– What did you notice about the behaviors and interactions?
– How did the context and setting influence these behaviors?
– Were there any power dynamics, cultural factors, or social norms at play?
Reflection: Write a 1-2 page reflection that includes:
– Key Insights: Summarize the main observations and what you learned from them.
– Personal Reflection: Reflect on your own biases and assumptions that may have
influenced your observation. Consider how this experience has shaped your
understanding of social work practice.
NOTE: Ensure that your narrative is clear, concise, and well-organized, and that your narrative
and reflection demonstrate critical thinking and self-awareness.
Submit Your Assignment
The assignment should include
• your field notes
• the narrative
• and the reflection in a single document.
If your field notes are handwritten, scan and insert them into your document.
Follow the APA style guide for a paper with a title page. NO ABSTRACT is required. Use the
Turnitin portal in Canvas to submit your project.
Evaluation Criteria
– Clarity and objectivity of descriptive field notes.
– Depth of analysis in the reflective notes.
– Demonstration of critical thinking and self-reflection.
– Organization, grammar, and overall presentation of the assignment
Paper Format: APA
Answer preview to observational skills
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