Participant-Observation

Participant-Observation
first coined by Eduard Lindeman
practiced in the fields of anthropology (ethnography) and
sociology (grounded theory)
Participant-Observation
is a process enabling researchers to learn about the
activities of the people under study in the natural setting
through observing and participating in those activities
(DeWALT & DeWALT, 2002)

the process of learning through exposure to or

involvement in the day-to-day or routine activities of
participants in the researcher setting (SCHENSUL,
SCHENSUL, and LeCOMPTE, 1999)
The relative emphasis between “participating” and
“observing” can produce four variants:
(1) being a participant only
(2) being a participant who also observes
(3) being an observer who also participates
(4) being an observer only

The essence of being a participant-observer calls

for emulating the middle two of the four variants—that
is, having some participation and some observation, and
not neglecting either one entirely.
 Advantages
increase the validity of the study, as observations may help
the researcher have a better understanding of the context
and phenomenon under study
to help the researcher become known to the cultural
members, thereby easing facilitation of the research process
to provide the researcher with a source of questions to be
addressed with participants 
to help the researcher get the feel for how things are
organized and prioritized, how people interrelate, and what
are the cultural parameters
Disadvantages
sometimes the researcher may not be interested in what
happens out of the public eye and that one must rely on
the use of key informants/participants
Bias
the data collected by the researchers is observed based
on the researcher's individual interest in a setting or
behavior, rather than being representative of what
actually happens in a culture
Participant-Observer’s Principles
Start fieldwork by listening carefully to what’s going on ‹‹
Make a good mental record of what’s going on ‹‹
Avoid comparing an initial field experience with your
earlier (field or non-field) experiences
‹‹Make as few initial assumptions as possible ‹‹
Have confidence that patterns will emerge without
artificial prompting
SUMMARY
In participant observation, the researcher immerses herself into a
community, culture or context. The action is deliberate and
intended to add to knowledge.
A participant observer is a researcher 24 hours a day.
To gain access a researcher must be non-threatening, displaying
appropriate behavior and body language and wearing appropriate
dress.
A useful way of gaining access is to find a gatekeeper who can
introduce you to other members of the community.
A researcher needs to do much soul-searching before going into
the field as the experience can raise many ethical, moral and
personal dilemmas.
SUMMARY
It is sometimes quicker and more economical to wait for
questions to come to the researcher, rather than ask questions of
informants in the early stages of a study.
Field notes may record practical details, methodological issues,
personal thoughts, preliminary analyses and working hypotheses.
Data analysis takes place in the field so that hypotheses can be
discussed with key informants.
The community should be left on good terms and any written
reports should be given back to the people for their interest and
personal comments.
Sources
Internet Source
http://psc.dss.ucdavis.edu/sommerb/sommerdemo/obse
rvation/partic.html

Book Sources
Practical Research Methods by Dr. Catherine Dawson
Qualitative Research from Start to Finish by Robert K.
Yin