Research Methodology
Systematic Social Observation
How we gather rigorous, comparable, quantitative data from inside the civil society organizations that shape our communities.
What is Systematic Social Observation?
Systematic social observation (SSO) is a data collection technique that uses trained observers and standardized protocols and forms to collect detailed, comparable, quantitative data from many similar settings. It allows scholars to obtain more fine-grained detail on social and spatial dynamics than surveys, interviews, or documents can provide, while also examining more social settings than ethnography can reach.
SSO has a long but sporadic history of use in social science. Developed originally in developmental psychology, it has been applied in a variety of sociological field settings, including:
- Studies of police–citizen interactions
- The use of public parks and plazas
- Retail shopping behavior
- Urban disorder
A New Approach: SSO for Civil Society Organizations
Over 15 years, we have developed an SSO approach specifically for studying civil society organizations (CSOs). Rather than studying individuals or public spaces, we focus on convenings—the meetings, events, and activities that organizations hold.
Our trained observers attend convenings hosted by CSOs that participate in our studies. This approach provides insight into how organizations can conduct their activities in ways that lead to greater civic engagement, endurance, and effectiveness.
How Observers Work in the Field
Observers arrive before the convening begins and measure the physical space.
Observers sit apart from participants and watch the convening unfold without interfering.
They tally and categorize people, interactions, and activities as they happen.
Data are entered directly into a survey form loaded on a tablet computer.
What Can SSO Reveal About CSO Convenings?
Our SSO instrument includes more than 100 items that capture more than 700 variables. The twelve primary thematic areas covered are:
Watch: SSO in Action
Learn more about how our trained observers collect data in the field and learn why systematic social observation offers a uniquely powerful window into civil society organizations.