This document discusses two approaches to observation and note-taking: induction and deduction. The inductive approach involves first forming an overall impression and then reviewing details, while the deductive approach focuses on carefully observing details first and using them to form a central impression. It provides tips for each approach and emphasizes using concrete details to show atmosphere and mood rather than just stating them. The document also discusses techniques for people watching and note-taking in situations where writing notes is not allowed, such as planning ahead by drawing a map or doing a "brain dump" of details immediately after.

1. Part I

2. Induction vs. Deduction: What’s Your Style?
Big picture first?
You form an overall
impression first. Then
you review details to
check and possibly
modify your
impression.
Small pieces first?
You carefully
observe details
first. You use
the details to
form a central
impression.
Which one describes how you approach observation?

3. Both approaches work. Neither is better…
but knowing which is more comfortable will help
you to choose an effective strategy for observing
and crafting your notes.
If your approach is
inductive
• form your
impressions
• then look carefully
to gather evidence
from the
environment
• Caution: What you
glean from the
details may cause
you to modify your
first impression!
If your approach is
deductive
• Carefully and
thoroughly collect
details
• Organize the details
into meaningful
categories or chunks
• Draw impressions
from your details
and use the details
to support the
impression.

4. Fixing on a Place:
Identifying Concrete Physical Details

5. POSITIVE MOOD WORDS NEGATIVE MOOD WORDS
Light-hearted Tense
Playful Gloomy
Tender Violent
Enlightened Insidious
Optimistic Pessimistic
Liberating Confining
Warm Cold
Hopeful Hopeless
Nostalgic Haunting
Peaceful Nightmarish
Welcoming Hostile
Harmonious Suspenseful
Trustful Foreboding
Vivacious Painful
Confident Threatening
Idyllic Desolate
Sympathetic Merciless
Joyous Terrifying
Dignified Barren
Ecstatic Vengeful
Empowered Heartbroken
Inclusive

6. BUT….
The key is
NOT
TELLING
Instead of
using the
atmosphere/
mood words,
use details to
SHOW the
atmosphere.

7. Try It!

8. What do you see?
Inductive: What is your impression of this room?
What feeling do you get from it?
Deductive: What details stand out to you? What
impression do these details create?
There is no right answer here.
However, the picture of this room should
have prompted you to think about the
purpose of this room and the feeling you get
from the artifacts in it as well as the color
scheme.

9. People: Perception
Look: Listen:

10. People Watching 101:
It’s all about REACTIONS
• To others
• To the setting
• To the environment
Group vs. Individual
• Are most people reacting similarly?
• Are individuals reacting differently?
Group dynamics
• Supportive and comfortable?
• Involved?
• Focused?
• Disinterested? Bored?
• Tense?

11. Use your senses!
 Sight:
 Sound:
 Smell **
 Taste
 Physical sense (touch, texture, temperature)

12. Try It:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m3yC_hhr3E
Watch this short clip from a television sitcom, and pay special
attention to the body and facial language of the actors.
• What do they reveal?
• What subtle and overt cues let you know what they are
thinking?

13. Now you know what to look for, but
how can you take notes in a room
where you are not allowed to take
notes or record?
Plan ahead!

14. Think ahead about what you will be seeing and
what it might look like:
Structure of the Meeting:
 Opening
 Ritual
 Organization
 Parts/Sections
 Artifacts (texts, symbols)
 Closing

15. Preparation:
 Draw a map ahead of time
 Use the map to prompt memory
after the meeting (fill in with
details, impressions)

16. Brain Dump
 Soak up as much information as
you can while the meeting is going
on
Write down as many specific
details as you can immediately
after the meeting
 Later (allow some time to pass),
write your impressions