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Goode and Hatt define participant observation as “the procedure used when the investigator can
go disguise himself as to be accepted as a member of the group”. So in this kind of observation
the observer has to stay as a member in the group he wants to study.
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According to P.V. Young, “the participant observer using non-controlled observation, generally
lives or otherwise shares in the life of the group which he is studying”.
Some of the examples of studies using the method of participant observation are: W.F. White’s
study of Cornville social and Athletic Club and P.V. Young’s study of Molokan people. The
famous studies of Margaret Mead on primitive societies were also based on participant
observation.
For the success of participant observation it is essential that the respondents being studied should
not have any doubt about the intention of the research worker. A fruitful result of participant
observation is very much dependent upon the resourcefulness, tactfulness, personality manners
and wit of the research worker.
The chief advantage of participant observation is that in it the observer gets an opportunity to
interact with the group regarding various activities of them. He can thus learn the significance of
these activities that are actually not open for observation. For example, if an observer participates
in a religious ceremony of a tribe, viz. “Chaitra Parba” of Gadaba tribe, he can not only observe
different aspects of the ceremony but also clear his doubt by asking various questions to the
group members or learn more about that ceremony by discussing with the group in this regard. It
is generally easier for the respondent to describe about the event on right occasion than before or
after it.
Disadvantages of Participant Observation:
In-spite of above advantages of participant observation it has also many disadvantages.
However, purely non-participant observation is extremely difficult. One cannot penetrate into the
heart of a matter without proper participation in it. One really cannot imagine a kind of
relationship, when the researcher is always present but never participates. This situation is hardly
conducive for both the observer and the group. A combination of both participant and non-
participant method is sometimes selected.
The observer actively participates in some of the ordinary activities and observes passively from
distance in others. Many sociologists therefore treat a non-participant observation in practice as
only a quasi-participant observation. It is easier for the observer to perform both the roles than to
disguise himself completely.