Write in APA Format
Field Observation and Reflection Paper (Core Competency 1, 2, 3, 4)
The purpose of this assignment is to identify and examine differences in socioeconomic
levels and access to resources in your community; as well as examining services and equity
in your communities.
Students should complete each of the following activities below over the course of the semester
and write a 6-8-page reflection. The paper is required to be in APA format.
Students should spend at least 1 hour observing in two of the three public places listed below.
Students should complete field notes during or as soon as possible after to capture as many
details as possible. Postponing field notes may result in the loss of details, or important
information needed for the reflection process.
1. Visit two grocery stores
a. A grocery store in an affluent area (i.e., Kroger, Meijer, Whole Foods, Trader
Joes, etc.).
b. Discount grocery store in a low income area (i.e., Sav-a-lot, Dollar General,
etc.)
2. Visit a local public assistance office, public health center, shelter, etc.
3. Take a ride on public transportation (completing an entire route).
Submit “notes” or “journals” with the final reflection paper. Pictures of notes will
suffice.
During observation visits, if someone inquires what you are doing, advise them you are
completing a field observation exercise for this class. Aim to be as nonintrusive as possible.
Find a space to sit or stand so that you do not draw attention to yourself or get in the way of
clients/consumers and providers.
The reflection paper should cover the following areas:
1. Descriptive information: document factual data you observed
• Describe the physical setting of each site (location, layout, colors, comfort, security,
accessibility, etc.)
• Describe the ethnicity or race of consumers –based on your observation-please do not
seek out this information from the person (s)– or the client population, customers, and
the workforce.
• Describe the social environment and the way in which participants interact within thesetting. This may include patterns of interactions, frequency of interactions, direction of
communication patterns [including non-verbal communication], and patterns of specific
behavioral events, such as, service, assistance, conflicts, decision-making, etc.).
• Compare products, service, and convenience
• Describe the participants and their roles in the setting (clients/consumers, workforce)
2. Reflective information: record your thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns as you conduct
the observation
• Discuss feelings, impressions, thoughts resulting from the observation •
Where do you believe these thoughts and feelings originate?
• What assumptions did you have prior to the observation about the sites or client
populations utilizing the services? What was confirmed, challenged or/and surprising?
Why?
• Integration with course content: using what you learned from course readings, videos,
and discussions, put the observations in context (make use of references here, including
your textbook)
• Discuss the course content (principles, theories, and concepts) used in interpreting your
observations, and how they apply?
• Discuss implications for the individuals who must shop at lower end grocers, use public
transportation, use public assistance, or free clinics.
• How might clients of these services experience the services? What are some of the
impacts or outcomes?
4. Conclusion:
• What do you deem to be social justice issues related to what you learned in the field
(community) and in the course? (List and discuss at least 2 issues). Reference NASW
CODE OF ETHICS
• Provide recommendations that should be considered to improve quality of services and
access to resources for marginalized persons and those who are experiencing
poverty/living on lower incomes? Reference at least three sources in this section.
**It is expected you use a specific heading for each item criteria for final paper and follow
APA guidelines when formatting and citing sources in your paper.
