Methodology
At Aging Observatory, ethnography is a guiding practice, an umbrella that brings together multiple approaches for understanding why people behave the way they do in real-world settings. This perspective goes beyond abstract models, surfacing the emotional, symbolic, and adaptive dimensions of aging often missed in standard research.
Our proprietary framework, NEEM™ (NEeds–EMotions), combines structured analysis with empathetic data collection. Guided by Max-Neef’s human needs and the ethos of Nonviolent Communication, it enables longitudinal, in-context research that honors lived realities.
The platform integrates:
AI-assisted analysis
with feedback loops and cross-researcher validation.
Qualitative coding
of language, visuals, and field notes.
Comparative insight
across socioeconomic and cultural subgroups.
Pattern recognition
to trace shifts in needs, behaviors, and feelings over time.
Data collection methods include visual and audio ethnography, participant observation, field notes and journals, cultural immersion, mass observation, and, with consent, biomarker data.
Ethics and empathy are central. Every study is designed to build trust through informed consent, respect, and a nonjudgmental presence. Insights emerge not in isolated moments but through long-term engagement, capturing how needs and meanings evolve across life stages and transitions.
Please request the full program deck for detailed information on how to get involved.