3. Carefully assess the desires, values, and expectations of the person analyzing the data to see if these might bias the conclusions drawn. People’s perceptions are drastically shaped by their expectations or lack of them. If we expect something to occur, we are much more likely to observe it ------whether it actually occurs or not. If we expect welfare recipients to be lazy, then will be acutely aware of all those entries in field notes that might be interpreted as laziness. Thus, the validity of conclusions will be reduced to the extent that expectations---whether recognized or not----mold interpretations of data. On the other side of the coin, a lack of expectation entirely may lead us to miss something of importance in the data.
4. Have other research analyze the data to see if they come to the same conclusions. There are problems with this because these other researchers were probably not involved collecting the data in the field, and that experience of begin in the field provides all kinds of information and insights that may not appear in the raw data (the field notes). Nonetheless, if these other researchers do come to the conclusions, they provide validation that the conclusions are valid.
5. Compare the conclusions reached through field observations with conclusions reached by other research methodologies, whether it be observational research in other setting or survey, available data. Or experimental research. This is a variation on criterion validity discussed in Chapter 5. It is also sometimes called triangulation, or approaching a problem from a number of different directions. If the various methodologies yield the same conclusions, then we have greater confidence that the field observation have validity. Field with the results of other research should be accepted with caution. Especially if none of these other checks on validity are available.
6. Consider how the condition of the observer might influence observations and conclusions. Hunger, fatigue, stress, or personal problem can lead to very distorted perceptions and interpretations. Likewise, physical characteristics, such as the lighting in an establishment, may lead to invalid observations. (This is another good reason for keeping complete field notes----field conditions affecting validity can be assessed at a later point.) If a number of these