Dear Parag
I have to agree with Chris on this, as part of my Phd studies I have used
PO extensively to reveal the true nature of the sporting performance of
disabled athletes in adventure sport.  The observation on long expeditions
allowed me to see the the individual, and other participants in their
natural or flow state.  This research has led or inspired a
design process which led to the creation of an artifact or prototype.
 PO, questionnaires and reflection was then used to help ensure that I was
able to clarify what I saw.

We must not forget that design has an impact so designers cannot be
dis-interested in the communities or clients they serve, either socially or
commercially.

PO for designers I believe is valid and vital, it relies of critical
thinking (i.e if you ask the right questions you get the right answers).
 This is the same for other forms of enquiry I believe.

As I approach the next stage of my research I hope to e looking at ways in
which designers can identify better ways of creating live test scenarios,
thus creating opportunities for observing the real experience of the user in
a more efficient manner.

I hope that this provides a case study for further discussion.

Kind regards

Listening in from the Highlands of Scotland

Suresh Paul

Equal Adventure



On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 6:09 PM, Chris Rust <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Dear Parag,
>
> You have made a case that participant observers are not valid in research.
>
> I think you will find that is a very contentious argument which challenges
> well-established research practices in a number of fields.
>
> It is arguable that observers in most disciplines, including the "hard"
> sciences influence that which they observe. The key to success is being
> aware of your influence.
>
> I hope you enjoy finding out more about this. The term "Participant
> Observer" should open up a cornucopia of material.
>
> Google Scholar indicates around 27000 recent articles on this topic and I
> was surprised and very pleased to find that the first hit at present is a
> chapter by my colleague David Waddington. David studies public disorder, and
> one of his techniques is to be present in the crowd in a communal or
> industrial dispute. As he might say, there is nothing quite like being in
> the front row of an angry crowd, eyeball to eyeball with a policeman in full
> riot gear. Being there gives you access to material that you will never see
> at second hand or at a distance. David also interviews senior police
> officers and other experts and this can never be a neutral conversation,
> just by asking questions he causes them to reflect on their practices.
>
> Waddington, D. (2004) "Participant Observation" in Cassell, C. & Symon, S.
> "Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organisational Research" Sage,
> 2004
>
> best wishes from Sheffield
> Chris Rust
>
> ..............................0^0
>
> Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future
> of the human race. - H. G. Wells
>
>
>
>
>  1.=09Research entails inquiry or examination where the researcher is an
>> observer. Researcher analyzes what he observes, attempts to make sense of=
>>  it
>> and then reports it to the research community. The researcher does not
>> interfere with what is being observed since the objective of research is =
>> to
>> explain the phenomenon as it is. The researchers then reports on his view=
>>  on
>> what has been observed and thus contributes to the knowledge base.=20
>>
>> 2.=09The designer however does not work in the same manner. The activity =
>> of
>> design involves active participation of the designer in shaping the
>> artifact. Therefore, unlike the researcher who simply stands aside, obser=
>> ves
>> and reports =91what it is=92, the designer actively involves herself to s=
>> hape
>> the artifact so that it is =91how it is ought to be=92.
>>
>> While both research as well as the activity of design generates knowledge=
>> ,
>> the knowledge generated in case of an activity of design is limited to th=
>> e
>> designer who actively participates in the process of design. This knowled=
>> ge
>> is often implicit, unarticulated and specific to a design situation and
>> therefore can not be communicated, analyzed, tested or criticized which i=
>> s
>> fundamental to the activity of research.
>>
>> Although, I do not have any evidence at the moment, but rather than desig=
>> n
>> as research, research as design seems plausible to me as like design,
>> research too begins with an ill-defined problem (question) that evolves a=
>> nd
>> becomes well defined through the process of research.=20
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> parag
>> PhD candidate,
>> IDC, UL, Ireland
>>
>>


-- 
Suresh Paul
Director
Equal Adventure Ltd
+44 1479861200