Participant observation

• advantages

  • Watch how participants behave (valid)
  • Can see the world from participants’ point of view (valid)
• disadvantages

  • If participants know they are being observed, then they will not act naturally
  • The researcher might have to get involved in criminal behaviour (unethical)
  • If participants do not know they are being observed, then they can not give their permission (consent – unethical)