Marlot Kuiper

107 On Ethnography ing 4.5.2 Making fieldnotes During the observations, I carried a notebook that fit the pockets of my surgical clothing to make field notes. I did consider video or audio recordings as way to collect data, but for various reasons I decided to rely on intensive field notes. First of all, the surgery department is a very sensitive environment, making recordings would have raised complex ethical issues, for example regarding patients’ privacy. Further, I was constantly moving from one spot to another, so quickly picking a notebook out of my pocket whenever I wanted to also seemed very feasible for practical reasons. Lastly, I tried to disturb the natural setting the least as possible. Again, because of the educational character of the setting, people are used to observers making notes. Making audio or video recordings could have distracted them from what they were doing, or made them more aware of it. Making field notes was not easy. Naturally, it was impossible to write down everything that was said and done. Writing up field notes therefore inevitably already involves a great deal of selection. Further, it was not always appropriate to take notes ‘right on the spot’ for example conversations over lunch, or when walking to a meeting. I had to remember these items and write them down later. In taking field notes, the theoretical constructs (chapter 2) helped to stay focused, but I remained open to new themes. During the process, I developed a personal style of ‘fast note taking’ including abbreviations or small drawings. It was therefore important to write up such notes quite soon afterwards and this was done either on the same day, or – since days in the surgery department could turn out to be extreme long days - by the following day at the latest (see also attachment II). 4.5.3 Having conversations All the observations were proceeded by conversations with the respondents I was going to shadow, to get to know each other and discuss the planned observations. Most of the time, these conversations turned into extensive conversations in which the respondents shared their views and concerns about standardization of healthcare practices and patient safety more in general. These conversations showed that the standardization is a ‘hot topic’. All respondents were willing to participate in the study. During the period of observations I also engaged in many informal conversations. These conversations started for example when I was involved in a teammeeting or asked for my opinion, but also when I actively asked for clarification or opinions. 4