study a group through the use of participant observation. Participant observation is a qualitative method of data collection. Observation methods are useful for providing researchers ways to check for nonverbal expressions as well as verbal expressions and observable behavior. Importantly, participant observation allows the researcher to understand the people being studied in their own environment. For the purpose of this assignment, students must attend at least two meetings of the same self-help group (e.g. Overeaters Anonymous, Divorce Recovery Group, Bereavement Group, etc.). This can be a secular group or a Christian group (such as those that may meet within your church). Begin by identifying the type of group you attended, dates and location(s) of the group, and what occurred during the group meeting. Detailed notes should be taken during the meeting (please be as unobtrusive as possible when note taking) and submitted over two weeks in the course.
After attending both meetings, students will then write a paper addressing their observations and applying a sociological perspective. Specifically, students should identify, define, and apply 8-10 concepts from the textbook (Forysth 2019) to their observations of the group as well as incorporate 4-6 additional peer reviewed/academic sources to examine these sociological concepts more broadly. Discuss any dynamics observed that may have been due to cultural influences from various members of the group as well. The paper must be 5-7 pages (not including cover and reference pages) and formatted in APA (e.g. cover page, abstract (optional), subheaders, citations, and reference page).
