Theory, then, provides some indication of what to observe. Let us now look at the possible subjects of observation. These may be classified into the following areas: (a) physical setting; (b) social setting; (c) formal interactions; (d) informal interactions; and (e) interpretations of the social actors. It should be pointed out immediately that this classification
of ‘what to observe’ is only one of many possible classifications. Nevertheless, participant Social Research observation will always involve a preliminary descriptive phase, in which the external visible features of the study environment are
outlined, followed by a phase of genuine interaction with the protagonists.