Fly-on-the-Wall Observation template

A way to observe people in an unobtrusive manner

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Fly-on-the-Wall Observation

Fly-on-the-Wall Observation template FAQs

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Research

LUMA methods

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Use this template in situations where you cannot speak directly with people, or do not want to interrupt the flow of their activities while conducting your research.

When left to their own devices, people are likely to say or do things that they’re not aware of and would not be able to articulate, even if prompted. If you can watch and listen without interfering, you have a chance to capture people’s natural behavior.

Remember to pay careful attention to people’s tasks and workflow, taking note of the information, tools, and people they rely upon to do what they do. Also be mindful of the surrounding environment, understanding that peripheral objects, sounds, and people may affect outcomes.

The fly-on-the-wall template helps you:

Conduct research and gather insights that may be overlooked through traditional means
Understand real versus stated workflows and behaviors
Identify contextual elements or surroundings that may play a role in outcomes

How to use the fly-on-the-wall template

To use the Mural fly-on-the-wall template most effectively, follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Identify and define the goal

The first step is to define your goals for the research you’re conducting. This should be no longer than a phrase or one sentence for the purposes of this template.

Step 2: Plan the observation

Use the second section of the template to plan how you’ll conduct your research. The categories to consider include:

What’s the subject of investigation?
What’s the best location?
Whom do you want to observe?
What activities do you want to observe?
What access or permissions do you need?
What tools or materials are necessary to capture what you see?

Step 3: Conduct your investigation and record what you see

The third section of the template helps break down your observations across categories and add any further materials (like images, sketches, or videos) to your mural.

Note: You can assign multiple notetakers to help give extra depth to your investigation. This template suggests having a primary and secondary notetaker, but you can add more team members if you’d like.

Step 4: Identify themes and record key takeaways

Once you’ve conducted your research and recorded as much information as possible during the investigation, it’s time to analyze the data and look for groups or themes that can help inform action items.

Tips for running a fly-on-the-wall observation

To get the most out of your fly-on-the-wall research, you should:

Clearly define the goal so that all your notetakers are aligned on what information is key to your research — this will keep everyone focused on the right things and make your investigation more impactful
Avoid groupthink: Use features like private mode to allow multiple people to record their observations in the mural without influencing one another
Once you’ve gathered all your information, use tools like color-coding and arranging to organize and synthesize your feedback into themes, and make clear next steps

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Fly-on-the-Wall Observation template FAQs

What is fly-on-the-wall research?

Fly-on-the-wall research, also known as direct observation, is a qualitative research method where the researcher discreetly observes and records the behavior and interactions of individuals in their natural environment, without interfering or influencing their actions. The aim is to gain insights into their behaviors, attitudes, and patterns without the bias that may arise from self-reporting or other research methods. The term "fly on the wall" implies that the researcher is like an unnoticed observer, quietly observing without disruption.

What are the benefits of observational research?

Observational research offers several benefits in understanding human behavior and gathering valuable insights. Some of the key advantages include:

Naturalistic behavior: Observing people in their natural environment allows researchers to witness real-time behaviors and interactions, providing a more accurate representation of how individuals naturally act in their everyday lives.
Rich contextual details: Observational research helps capture the context surrounding people's actions. It allows researchers to uncover subtle nuances, environmental influences, and social dynamics that may not be captured through other research methods, such as surveys or interviews.
Uncovering unconscious behaviors: Participants may not always be aware of their own behaviors or motivations. Observational research can reveal subconscious actions, habits, or patterns that individuals may not explicitly report or be conscious of.
Generating new hypotheses: Observational research often generates new hypotheses or research questions by uncovering unexpected patterns or behaviors. These insights can inform further investigations and enhance the understanding of a particular phenomenon or problem.
Validating self-reports: When combined with other research methods, such as interviews or surveys, observational research can provide a means of validating or cross-checking participants' self-reported information, thus enhancing the overall reliability of the findings.

What are the types of observation techniques?

There are several observation techniques commonly used in research:

Structured observation: In structured observation, the researcher defines specific behaviors or events to observe and records them systematically. This technique typically involves the use of a predetermined checklist or coding scheme to capture specific behaviors or events of interest.
Unstructured observation: Unstructured observation allows the researcher to observe and record a broad range of behaviors and events without predefined categories or checklists. This approach is more flexible and allows for capturing unexpected or novel behaviors.
Participant observation: In participant observation, the researcher immerses themselves in the environment or group being observed. They actively participate in the activities while simultaneously observing and documenting the behaviors and interactions. This technique helps gain an insider's perspective and a deeper understanding of the context.
Non-participant observation: Non-participant observation involves observing a group or environment without actively participating in the activities being observed. The researcher maintains a more objective stance and focuses on capturing behaviors and interactions from an external standpoint.
Covert observation: Covert observation involves observing individuals or groups without their knowledge. This technique allows researchers to observe natural behaviors without the potential biases that may arise from being aware of being observed. However, ethical considerations must be carefully addressed when employing this technique.
Overt observation: Overt observation involves openly observing individuals or groups with their knowledge and consent. This technique is useful when transparency and ethical considerations are important in the research context.