Observation is a staple data collection method, which is used in many qualitative approaches, including both traditional and institutional ethnographies. While observation is one of the most used data collection methods in traditional ethnography, less is written about its use by institutional ethnographers. Institutional ethnography is an approach to social research where the aim is to explicate how peoples’ every activities are coordinated or ruled by different institutions. In this article we explore uses of observation as a data collection method, focusing on its use in institutional ethnography. We use examples from the health care literature to show how observation can be beneficial and help institutional ethnographers see better.

观察是一种主要的数据收集方法，用于许多定性方法，包括传统和制度民族志。虽然观察是传统民族志中最常用的数据收集方法之一，但关于它被机构民族志学者使用的文章却很少。制度民族志是一种社会研究方法，其目的是阐明人们的每项活动如何被不同机构协调或统治。在本文中，我们探讨了观察作为一种数据收集方法的用途，重点是它在制度民族志中的用途。我们使用医疗保健文献中的例子来展示观察如何有益并帮助机构民族志学者更好地观察。