Seeing is believing? Experiences of using systematic social observation as an evaluation method

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Publication TypeJournal articleAbstractIn conducting project evaluations there are often times when data are not available and where standard methodologies are not always appropriate or sufficient. In some cases, there can be benefit in applying Systematic Social Observation (SSO) to gain an understanding of how a project is working. This paper explores the use of simple forms of SSO as an evaluation method in such circumstances. Based on case studies from the UK involving evaluating the impact of changes in alcohol licensing laws and evaluating the impact of environmental clean-up campaigns, this paper explores design issues, problems experienced by fieldworkers and the benefits to be gained from employing SSO.AuthorBrown, R.Date2014Publication CollectionNorthern Institute - Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social ContextsVolume14/ 2014Page Number82-95CopyrightCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.Suggested CitationBrown, R. (2014). Seeing is believing? Experiences of using systematic social observation as an evaluation method. Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts [Special Issue: Evaluation], 14, 82-95. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18793/LCJ2014.14.06.ISSNISSN 1329-1440 (online)ISSN 2202-7904 (print)PublisherFaculty of Law, Education, Business and Arts CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITYPlace of PublicationDarwin