How Do I Prove my Own Observations and Experiences in the Text?

Maria Noll — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:51:30 +0000

How did the observations and experiences arise?

Are the observations random, or were they made in a purposeful, methodically controlled, and systematical way? Ideally, you will have documented your observations and reflected on your experiences in writing. Including these written records, for instance in the appendix, helps the reader understand why you have reached these conclusions.

It is important that you always cite the source of the information here as well.

In observations or experiences, you alone are the source of the information.

If, for example, you refer to files or internal concepts and work aids from the institution in field reports, you must also clearly indicate your sources. Make your sources explicit with wording such as “I observed …”, “This information comes from the case file …”.

How do I integrate observations and experiences?

You can use observations and experiences e.g. to illustrate. In this case, it is often sufficient to present only the relevant content – without background information and possibly even without providing written proof. Alternatively, you can use your own experiences to develop a question or thesis.

Make sure not to make impermissible generalizations that distort the findings.

Your own observations and experiences are always subjective and therefore limited in their validity, because you observe only parts of individual cases, which makes generalization extremely difficult.

Not like this: In practice, clients regularly arrive late for consultation appointments.

Better like this: In my experience, clients frequently arrived late for consultation appointments.

Never leave your reports or observations uncommented, but explain what they represent. Your own interpretation does not automatically arise from the presentation of your experience.

As always: discuss questions and details with your lecturers.

An example of the relevance of own observations

During my six-month internship at the institution “Wegweiser”, the residential service was used only once. Does this suggest that resources are being tied up in the residential service that could be used more sensibly for outpatient services? Investigating this question is the aim of the present work.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to cite my own experiences in my work?

You must always indicate the source of your information – in the case of your own observations and experiences, this is made clear by explicit wording such as “I observed …”.

What else should I consider regarding my own observations and experiences?

Be aware that these are subjective, thus less representative, excerpts. Make sure never to leave your reports uncommented and avoid making distorting generalizations.

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