Participant Observation Essay -- participant-observer

Participant Observation Participant Observation is the study of a culture or society ordinarily carried out by living for an extended period of time with its members. The participant-observer takes part in everyday life and cargonfully records such things as behaviour, events and conversations, in rule to obtain a fully rounded picture of beliefs, social groupings and customs. There are two different forms of Participant Observation Overt observation is when the subjects are aware they are being observed and allow the observer in to their lives, this is often the most criticised form due to bias, Covert observation is when the subjects are not aware they are being observed and therefore the process has to remain secret to remain relevant. The main benefit of Participant Observation as a means of research is the deeper experience and insight of the activities and customs of particular societies that the observer upgrades. They become immersed into a pa rticular culture and surroundings in an effort to gain a greater understa...