Participant observation
Qualitative ethnographic method where researcher observes a group from inside the group (overt or covert), participating in activities to understand social meanings and culture from the group's perspective.
Real World
James Patrick covertly joined a Glasgow gang in the 1960s for his study A Glasgow Gang Observed, observing real behaviour that members would never have disclosed in an interview.
Exam Focus
For overt vs covert, always address the Hawthorne effect and ethical issues separately — conflating them loses the second mark.
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