Systematic Self-Observation
A Method for Researching the Hidden and Elusive Features of Everyday Social Life
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Systematic self-observation (SSO) is a valuable research method used by social scientists to gather information about those social actions that are hidden, restricted or subjective. The advantage of using self-observation over another research method, such as interviewing, for these types of actions is that the observer in SSO is the same as the obervee. This is the only way one can successfully measure thoughts, emotions and other criteria that are not always openly displayed. The authors provide a practical explanation and instruction to carrying out an systematic self-observation study. They include case studies of four aspects of hidden or elusive everyday social actions: lying, telling secrets, withholding compliments and feeling envy.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
Series Editors' Introduction
Series Editors' Introduction
Foreword
Foreword
1. Introducing Systematic Self-Observation
- A Brief Description of Systematic Self-Observation
- The Theoretical and Methodological Bases for Systematic Self-Observation
- A Brief Review of Social Science Endeavors at Self-Observation
- How Systematic Self-Observation Contrasts With the Other Self-Observation Methods
2. Implementing Systematic Self-Observation
- Choosing the Subject Matter for Study
- Formulating the Topic
- Recruiting Informants
- Guiding Informants to Be Scientific Observers
- Teaching Informants How to Observe
- Teaching Informants How to Report Self-Observations
- Preparing Informants With Training Exercises
- Ethical Considerations
- Feedback on Systematic Self-Observation
3. A Critical Evaluation of Systematic Self-Observation
- Problems in Choosing the Informants
- Problems in Framing and Delivering the Instructions
- Problems in Observing the Phenomenon
- Problems in Recallign and Reporting the Phenomenon
- Strengths of the Systematic Self-Observation Method
4. Four Studies Generated With Systematic Self-Observation
- Case Study 1: Telling Lies in Everoyday Life
- Case Study 2: The Micropolitics of the Secrets Told in Everyday Life
- Case Study 3: Withholding of Compliments and the Covert Management of Disaffiliation
- Case Study 4: Envy in the Social Comparisons of Everyday Life
- Analytic Insights Generated by These Systematic Self-Observation Studies
5. Other Applications of Systematic Self-Observation
- Researchable Systematic Self-Observation Topics
- Systematic Self Observation as Redagogy
- Using Systematic Self-Observation for Therapy
- Self-Observation and Self/Spiritual Development Practices
Notes
Notes
References
References
About the Authors
About the Authors
Description
Systematic self-observation (SSO) is a valuable research method used by social scientists to gather information about those social actions that are hidden, restricted or subjective. The advantage of using self-observation over another research method, such as interviewing, for these types of actions is that the observer in SSO is the same as the obervee. This is the only way one can successfully measure thoughts, emotions and other criteria that are not always openly displayed. The authors provide a practical explanation and instruction to carrying out an systematic self-observation study. They include case studies of four aspects of hidden or elusive everyday social actions: lying, telling secrets, withholding compliments and feeling envy.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
Series Editors' Introduction
Series Editors' Introduction
Foreword
Foreword
1. Introducing Systematic Self-Observation
- A Brief Description of Systematic Self-Observation
- The Theoretical and Methodological Bases for Systematic Self-Observation
- A Brief Review of Social Science Endeavors at Self-Observation
- How Systematic Self-Observation Contrasts With the Other Self-Observation Methods
2. Implementing Systematic Self-Observation
- Choosing the Subject Matter for Study
- Formulating the Topic
- Recruiting Informants
- Guiding Informants to Be Scientific Observers
- Teaching Informants How to Observe
- Teaching Informants How to Report Self-Observations
- Preparing Informants With Training Exercises
- Ethical Considerations
- Feedback on Systematic Self-Observation
3. A Critical Evaluation of Systematic Self-Observation
- Problems in Choosing the Informants
- Problems in Framing and Delivering the Instructions
- Problems in Observing the Phenomenon
- Problems in Recallign and Reporting the Phenomenon
- Strengths of the Systematic Self-Observation Method
4. Four Studies Generated With Systematic Self-Observation
- Case Study 1: Telling Lies in Everoyday Life
- Case Study 2: The Micropolitics of the Secrets Told in Everyday Life
- Case Study 3: Withholding of Compliments and the Covert Management of Disaffiliation
- Case Study 4: Envy in the Social Comparisons of Everyday Life
- Analytic Insights Generated by These Systematic Self-Observation Studies
5. Other Applications of Systematic Self-Observation
- Researchable Systematic Self-Observation Topics
- Systematic Self Observation as Redagogy
- Using Systematic Self-Observation for Therapy
- Self-Observation and Self/Spiritual Development Practices
Notes
Notes
References
References
About the Authors
About the Authors
Reviews
Systematic Self-Observation
A Method for Researching the Hidden and Elusive Features of Everyday Social Life
December 2001 | 80 pages | Sage US
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
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Systematic self-observation (SSO) is a valuable research method used by social scientists to gather information about those social actions that are hidden, restricted or subjective. The advantage of using self-observation over another research method, such as interviewing, for these types of actions is that the observer in SSO is the same as the obervee. This is the only way one can successfully measure thoughts, emotions and other criteria that are not always openly displayed. The authors provide a practical explanation and instruction to carrying out an systematic self-observation study. They include case studies of four aspects of hidden or elusive everyday social actions: lying, telling secrets, withholding compliments and feeling envy.
Table Of Contents:
- Acknowledgments
- Series Editors' Introduction
- Foreword
- 1. Introducing Systematic Self-Observation
- A Brief Description of Systematic Self-Observation
- The Theoretical and Methodological Bases for Systematic Self-Observation
- A Brief Review of Social Science Endeavors at Self-Observation
- How Systematic Self-Observation Contrasts With the Other Self-Observation Methods
- 2. Implementing Systematic Self-Observation
- Choosing the Subject Matter for Study
- Formulating the Topic
- Recruiting Informants
- Guiding Informants to Be Scientific Observers
- Teaching Informants How to Observe
- Teaching Informants How to Report Self-Observations
- Preparing Informants With Training Exercises
- Ethical Considerations
- Feedback on Systematic Self-Observation
- 3. A Critical Evaluation of Systematic Self-Observation
- Problems in Choosing the Informants
- Problems in Framing and Delivering the Instructions
- Problems in Observing the Phenomenon
- Problems in Recallign and Reporting the Phenomenon
- Strengths of the Systematic Self-Observation Method
- 4. Four Studies Generated With Systematic Self-Observation
- Case Study 1: Telling Lies in Everoyday Life
- Case Study 2: The Micropolitics of the Secrets Told in Everyday Life
- Case Study 3: Withholding of Compliments and the Covert Management of Disaffiliation
- Case Study 4: Envy in the Social Comparisons of Everyday Life
- Analytic Insights Generated by These Systematic Self-Observation Studies
- 5. Other Applications of Systematic Self-Observation
- Researchable Systematic Self-Observation Topics
- Systematic Self Observation as Redagogy
- Using Systematic Self-Observation for Therapy
- Self-Observation and Self/Spiritual Development Practices
- Notes
- References
- About the Authors
Recent Product Reviews:
The question regarding research for me has always been, How much of our own self do we bring with us on the journey? Reflexive practise and an development of our own self is an integral part of the research process. The use of the case study approach enhanced what was an intricate read. I will be recommending this text to all students who aim to undertake qualitative research. I feel an awareness of the possibility of these phenomena occurring in themselves may help them become aware of these processes occurring in others
Mr Mark Timoney, Humanities , Sligo Institute of Technology
Fascinating, concise, thought provoking and practical
Dr Angus Bancroft, Department of Sociology, Edinburgh University