PARTICIPANT

• WHAT HAPPENS IN A PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION?

  researcher becomes part of observed group and joins in with their activities
• STRENGTHS OF PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS?

  great insight into participants behaviour
• WHY DO PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS HAVE GREAT INSIGHT INTO PARTICIPANTS BEHAVIOUR?

  get to experience situation in same way
• WEAKNESSES OF PARTICIPANT OBSERVATIONS?

  • risk of ‘going native’
  • loses sight of aims and ability to remain objective
• WHAT IS ’GOING NATIVE’?

  researcher identifies too strongly with participants