Ethnography involves studying people in their natural environment using methods such as participant observation and face-to-face interviewing. Our group conducted an ethnographic observation in the lower level of the Morris University Center (MUC), focusing on understanding how people behave and interact in this space.
I conducted multiple observations throughout the day: from 8 am to 9 am, 11 am to 12 pm, and from 3 pm to 4 pm. In the morning, between 8 am and 9 am, I observed that individuals were primarily studying either in the back or along the walls of the MUC. While there were some instances of socialization in small groups, the lower level was predominantly occupied by students studying. During the lunch hour, from 11 am to 12 pm, the MUC was bustling with activity. Students engaged in all three activities—socializing, studying, and eating. However, the focus seemed to shift more towards socializing and eating, particularly as students emerged from classes.
In the afternoon, from 3 pm to 4 pm, the MUC remained busy but with a slightly different atmosphere compared to the lunch hour. While students continued to engage in all three activities, the environment was not as quiet as during the lunch hour. Studying individuals tended to gather in the back or along the walls, while those socializing and eating occupied the middle and front areas, with some even engaging in recreational activities like playing pool in the back.
Overall, conducting ethnographic observations felt familiar and natural to me, akin to my regular experiences in the MUC. As someone who is perceptive and enjoys meeting new people, observing individuals or groups in social settings aligns with my natural inclination toward social interaction and observation.