Systematic Self-observation Research Articles

“Conversations with pigeons”: Capturing Players’ Lived Experience of Perspective Challenging Games

Video games are increasingly designed to provoke reflection and challenge players’ perspectives. Yet we know little about how such perspective-challenging experiences come about in gameplay. In response, we used systematic self-observation diaries and micro-phenomenological interviews to capture players’ (n=15) lived experience of perspective challenges in purposely sampled games including Hatoful Boyfriend, The Stanley Parable, or Papers, Please. We found a sequence of trigger, reflection, and transformation constituting perspective-challenging experiences, matching Mezirow’s model of transformative learning. Most of these were game-related or ‘endo-game’, suggesting that medium self-reflection could be an overlooked part of everyday game reflection and appreciation. Reflections were accompanied by a wide range of emotions, including frequent epistemic emotions, and emotions could change drastically even during short gameplay experiences. Actual perspective change or transformation was rare. We construct a model of granular types of triggers, reflections, and transformations that can aid reflective game design.

Experiences and attitudes of Setswana speaking teachers in using an indigenous African language on an online assessment platform

Education in the 21st century must have a vision that will support and empower teachers to face the demands of the digital age. The use of information communication technology (ICT) in education can serve this end but ensuring access to digital resources will not address the digital disparity. Culture and language play an equally important role in exacerbating and maintaining the digital disparity as the traditional factor of access. In the study reported on here we investigated the experiences and attitudes of Setswana-speaking teachers in 3 primary schools in the North West province, South Africa, as they were exposed to online software in Setswana, an indigenous African language. Purposive sampling was used to select 7 teachers for the study. Two research questions were answered using systematic self-observation (SSO) instruments, the participant observation (PO) instrument and the in-depth interview (IDI) instrument to determine the experiences and attitudes of the teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. It was found that accuracy of translation was key for adopting and using software in an African language. The teachers felt that English was the language of ICT and that African languages were not intellectual languages and did not have the capacity to be used in ICT. It is, therefore, recommended that more must be done to translate software into African languages and an effort must be made to raise the status of African languages in academic and technical fields.

Manual Material Handling Training: The Effect of Self-Observation, Hetero-Observational and Intrinsic Feedback on Workers' Knowledge and Behaviour.

This study aimed to assess the effect of systematic self-observation, hetero-observational feedback, and feedforward and intrinsic feedback (SsObserWork components) on workers’ knowledge and behaviour of a manual material handling (MMH) technique in the industrial sector. Blue-collar workers recruited from a food processing company in Catalonia (Spain) were randomized into SsObserWork (N = 31) and control (N = 30) groups. SsObserWork group members participated individually in two sessions and a three-week follow-up between sessions where they received the SsObserWork components. The control group participated individually in two sessions where they received a standard MMH training. An ad hoc instrumentcalled the MMH-SsObserWork instrument was used to assess the MMH behaviour, and an adaption of the instrument was done to assess the workers’ knowledge. Significant differences were found between groups for the identification of recommended back positions in the first session and also on comparing both sessions. However, no differences were found for the rest of the criteria. There also were significant differences between groups in the score changes of the back, knee joints, elbow joints, and interaction criterion, indicating that the SsObserWork group improved the MMH performance in these criteria (behaviour). SsObserWork intervention showed a positive effect on improving the knowledge and behaviour of the MMH technique, specifically on back posture.

Support System for the Assessment and Intervention During the Manual Material Handling Training at the Workplace: Contributions From the Systematic Observation.

Efficacy of classical manual material handling (MMH) training interventions on back pain prevention at the workplace has been called into question. The way that observation (self-observation or hetero-observation) is used in other areas to create feedback addressed to modify motor activities can justify innovative components for these interventions. However, their implementation and evaluation cannot be done without tackling the methodological challenge of developing a reliable observational instrument to measure manual handling practice during the training process. The aims of this study were: (1) justify and develop an hetero-observation (H-O) instrument to assess changes in the worker behavioral patterns with a level of analysis convenient to derive a parallel version for the systematic self-observation (S-O) during training on MMH; (2) provide evidence on the inter-rater reliability of the H-O instrument; (3) provide evidence on the usability of the S-O instrument and its perceived usefulness; and (4) provide evidence on the benefits that can be derived with the use of the H-O instrument to create feedback based on T-pattern and polar coordinate analysis. A mixed method approach mainly grounded on systematic observation was used. A convenience sample composed by blue-collar workers participated in the study. Based on literature review and expert opinion, the H-O instrument proposed was composed by six dimensions (feet, knee joints, back, elbow joints, load position, and interaction between back tilt and displacement) plus a structural dimension which defined MMH phases. The inter-rater reliability of this instrument was almost perfect for all dimensions using a tolerance level of 2 s (the range of time-unit kappa was from 0.93 to 0.97 and the range of event-based kappa was from 0.82 to 0.9). The usability and usefulness of the S-O instrument was highly valued by workers. Regarding the way to use hetero-observations to create feedback, the paper shows the great potential of T-pattern and polar coordinate analysis. The observational instruments developed combined with these techniques make it possible to characterize the body positions adopted during manual handling performance, and this is crucial to create feedback on performance instead of only feedback on results.

Auto-hermeneutics: A phenomenological approach to information experience

The need for methodologically rigorous approaches to the study of human experience in LIS has emerged in recent years. Auto-hermeneutics is a research approach that offers a systematic way to study one’s own experiences with information, allowing investigators to explore yet-undocumented contexts, setting precedents for further work in these areas and ultimately deepening our understanding of information experiences. This articulation of auto-hermeneutics is based on the phenomenological method of Heidegger and draws principles from systematic self-observation and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Similarities and differences among auto-hermeneutics and other automethodologies are discussed, along with guidelines for assessing auto-hermeneutic research. Finally, an example of an auto-hermeneutic study illustrates the unique contributions this approach affords.

Implementation of the Lifelong Learning Experiences Management Approach – Observations on the First Experiences

Abstract In this study, applicability of a digital lifelog system developed for managing lifelong learning experiences has been investigated. System is designed and developed by the first author of this study and evaluated independently by the other three authors by using action research method. Because of the fact that, life logging applications produce log entries, which belong to every awake hour of the individual's daily life, they may contain private visual information, so direct observation of the application by the others may cause ethical problems. Three practitioner-researchers have implemented the system independently without being affected from one another for overcoming this limitation and they have supervised the implementation by themselves and have collected data relevant to the implementation through systematic self-observation during this period. Data gathered has thereafter been evaluated by being analyzed with a common analysis by all authors. It has been seen that the system of digital life logging used has caused the practitioners to acquire skills of planning, evaluation and controlling of lifelong learning experiences and it is a sufficient tools for implementing such skills.

EERA and its European Conferences on Educational Research: A Patchwork of Research on European Educational Research

The process of Europeanisation is closely linked to the process of an emerging European Educational Research Area and an education research identity. The European Conferences on Educational Research (ECER), European Educational Research Association (EERA) and its networks are involved in new directions and strands of educational research in particular European nations as well as in processes to construct a common European Educational Research Area. ECER to a large extent contributes to such developments both as observer and actor. Against the background of diverse functions and contexts of ECER for communication on and development of educational research in Europe, the authors describe some small-scale research studies about ECER that have been carried out during the past ten years dealing with attendance motives and assessments of ECER, and provide content analyses of proposal abstracts of ECER. In doing so, they would like to present a mirror to EERA at its 20th anniversary that could contribute to further systematic self-observation and self-governance of EERA and ECERs as vivid, inspiring, powerful, discursive, democratic and scholarly high-standing conferences in the future.

A systematic self-observation study of consumers' conceptions of practical wisdom in everyday purchase events

This project introduces the method of Systematic Self-Observation (SSO) to business researchers, compares it to other modes of introspection, and illustrates its application in a study of consumers' conceptions of their practical wisdom (or lack thereof) during ongoing purchase events. Qualitative data analysis is combined with hierarchical linear modeling analyses. Results are discussed in terms of how this application extends the SSO method as well as consumer behavior and wisdom theories. Discussion also addresses opportunities for future use of SSO.

Book Review: Systematic Self-observation

Book Review: Systematic Self-observation

From methodology to data analysis: Prospects for the n = 1 intrasubject design

The target article is important not only for black-box studies, but also for those interested in tracing cognitive processing and/or subjective experience (via systematic self-observation). I provide two examples taken from my own research. I then proceed to discuss how best to analyze data from the n = 1 study, which has a factorial design.

Systematic self-observation

Acknowledgments Series Editors' Introduction Foreword - H. Schwartz 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

WITHHOLDING COMPLIMENTS IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE COVERT MANAGEMENT OF DISAFFILIATION

Employing the method of systematic self-observation to study a meaningful nonaction in everyday life, this research found that compliments are regularly withheld from a deserving party in competitive situations and when there is an upwelling of critical sentiment. The normative complex and structural nature of compliments contribute to there being a means of covertly managing disaffiliative sentiments.

Describing and modeling hypnagogic imagery using a systematic self-observation procedure.

The published literature suggests that systematic self-observation may be a suitable method for clarifying the nature and correlates of hypnagogic imagery and thus a useful adjunct to psychophysiological and cognitive studies of sleep onset. The potential applicability of one recently proposed self-observation procedure (Nielsen, 1992) to such studies is demonstrated in the present work. The procedure permits numerous hypnagogic images to be collected during spontaneous drowsy periods occurring during the day. The observer sits in an upright, head-unsupported position, fixes an observational intent, and pays attention to internal events; images are observed, transcribed and then assessed for their likely memory sources. The procedure has been pilot-tested by the author in four exploratory studies comprising over 250 hypnagogic images. Neuromuscular events accompanying these images (e.g., head nods, leg jerks) and EEG correlates of the images are described. Certain distinctions among imagery types are suggested, e.g., fleeting vs. fully-formed, images with self movement vs. images with non-self movement. Silberer's conclusions regarding the 'autosymbolic' function of hypnagogic images are supported by the results. Four types of memory element (immediate, short-, mediumand long-term) appear to have contributed causally to the formation of these hypnagogic images and are illustrated. To demonstrate how the self-observational method may be used to model the formation of hypnagogic imagery from such memory sources, a single sample image and its multiple memory sources are described and analyzed in detail.

A Self-Observational Study of Spontaneous Hypnagogic Imagery Using the Upright Napping Procedure

Upright Napping is a procedure for observing and recording spontaneous hypnagogic imagery. It employs systematic self-observation and recording of imagery that occurs when one falls asleep in an upright seated position. Seventy-one hypnagogic images collected by the author over twenty-nine napping sessions were assessed for occurrence of illusory movements of the self and of other characters, for accompanying phasic and tonic neuromuscular events (NMEs), for isomorphic matches between illusory movements and NMEs, and for speaking and falling themes. The images were also subjected to an introspective analysis. Evidence was found for two types of illusory movement imagery and a distinctive progression in the quality of images as sleep ensues. With further trials and refinements, Upright Napping may prove to be a useful tool for investigating both the diversity and the microgenesis of dreamlike hypnagogic images.

Systematic Self-Observation of Entoptic Phenomena and Their Relation to Hypnagogia

We report the results of systematic self-observation of entoptics and hypnagogia, in a study whose purpose was to investigate the “entoptic explanation” of hypnagogic imagery (i.e., that entoptic phenomena play a role in the genesis of visual hypnagogic imagery). Employing various experimental manipulations designed to increase the incidence of both phenomena, we were able to show the effectivity of such manipulations on reported incidence of entoptics, but not regarding hypnagogia. Furthermore, the two phenomena seem to be independent, and thus we argue that the entoptic hypothesis cannot be supported. In addition, we report that the frequency of incidence of entoptics is an inverted U-shaped function of level of attention (as defined in this study).