Example of data collection and summary of human activities case study

While noticing university students in a cafeteria for about 2 hours, a number of different behaviors were figured out. The cafeteria had a separate corner where the food was being served by four men who were attending to student requirements in a quite fast paced fashion. There were approximately 12-15 benches and tables at the right of this place where the corridor was crowded at several different points during the observation period. At one corner of the corridor, there was a banner reading out ‘ November Elections 2013’. It had a table and two chairs in front of it. That particular spot was surrounded by markers, badges, stickers and other campaign related stuff. In this regard, the variables under observation include the following:
– Eating
– Laughing and having fun with friends in groups
– People having intense conversations
– Studying
– Canteen queue
– Arrangements for the upcoming student body elections
At the point of observation, the whole area was surrounded by a number of people. There were approximately 24 individuals eating at different locations of the corridor while 9 were waiting at the canteen queue. 8 of the students were seen in groups of twos and threes laughing and having fun with their friends while 3 pairs were involved in an intense conversation which was conspicuous from the serious gestures and body language. 2 students sitting at different positions were observed to be completing their assignments and studying. The amount of people in the cafeteria at this time made it obvious that either the class had ended or the students were taking a lunch break.
Gradually within 15 minutes of time, the number of students in the canteen queue decreased to 6 while only 10 were now seen to eat. Simultaneously the group of students talking, laughing and having fun with their friends increased to 11. This showed that the class was about to resume because of which more and more people were finishing up their food and were concentrating on enjoying their free time with friends. They were seen to play football while a good number of students; about 10, were near the election campaign table where they were scrutinizing the printed flyers, stickers and other stuff for publicity. The following 15 minutes incorporated a decline in the number of students eventually leaving only handful of them near the canteen making it clear that the class had started. Interestingly, it was observed, that during the two hours of observation, there was not a single moment when the whole cafeteria was deserted. This shows that although the class timings do impact the number of students and their associated behaviors in the cafeteria, the place still had students who were either totally free, bunking or skipping classes.
Also the trend of the observations show that after every half an hour, the number of students gradually increased in the cafeteria and the amount remained significant for at least 15 minutes. During this time, majority of the individuals were concentrated in the area where the food was being served and were consequently seen eating. After some time, people began to scatter and the number decreased. Also these people were not the same ones who came before. This demonstrates that the time of the break for different classes vary by approximately half an hour.