RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The 3 Cs of Content, Context, and Concepts: A Practical Approach to Recording Unstructured Field Observations
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 554
OP 560
DO 10.1370/afm.2453
VO 17
IS 6
A1 Fetters, Michael D.
A1 Rubinstein, Ellen B.
YR 2019
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/17/6/554.abstract
AB 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.