Most primary care researchers lack a practical approach for including field observations in their studies, even though observations can offer important qualitative insights and provide a mechanism for documenting behaviors, events, and unexpected occurrences. We present an overview of unstructured field observations as a qualitative research method for analyzing material surroundings and social interactions. We then detail a practical approach to collecting and recording observational data through a "3 Cs" template of content, context, and concepts. To demonstrate how this method works in practice, we provide an example of a completed template and discuss the analytical approach used during a study on informed consent for research participation in the primary care setting of Qatar.
Keywords: Hawthorne effect; behavioral research; communication; family medicine; field notes; field observations; general medicine; informed consent; mixed methods: participatory/action research; primary care; qualitative research; research methodology.
© 2019 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.