Ethnography key concepts

Participant observation is one type of data collection method typically done in the qualitative research paradigm. It is a widely used methodology in many disciplines, particularly cultural anthropology and (European) ethnology, less so in sociology, communication studies, human geography and social psychology. Its aim is to gain a close and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals (such as a religious, occupational, sub cultural group, or a particular community) and their practices through an intensive involvement with people in their cultural environment, usually over an extended period of time.

a technique of field research, used in anthropology and sociology, by which an investigator (participant observer) studies the life of a group by sharing in its activities.

Participant observation is one type of data collection method typically done in the qualitative research paradigm. It is a widely used methodology in many disciplines, particularly cultural anthropology and (European) ethnology, less so in sociology, communication studies,human geography and social psychology.

Participant observation is: a technique of field research, used in anthropologyand sociology, by which an investigator(participant observer) studies the life of a group by sharing in its activities

Participant observation is the process enabling researchers to learn about the activities of the people under study in the natural setting through observing and participating in those activities. It provides the context for development of sampling guidelines and interview guides.

Participant observation is one type of data collection method typically done in the qualitative research paradigm. Its aim is to gain a close and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals (such as a religious, occupational, sub cultural group, or a particular community) and their practices through an intensive involvement with people in their cultural environment, usually over an extended period of time. 

Participant observation is one type of data collection method typically done in the qualitative research paradigm. It is a widely used methodology in many disciplines, particularly  cultural anthropology and (European)  ethnology, less so in  sociology, communication studies, human geography.

Observation is the systematic description of events, behaviors, and artifacts in the social setting chosen for study. Observations enable the researcher to describe existing situations using the five senses, providing a "written photograph" of the situation under study. Participant observation is the process of learning through exposure to or involvement in the day-to-day or routine activities of participants in the researcher setting.

In participant observation the observer participates in ongoing activities and records observations. Participant observation extends beyond naturalistic observation because the observer is a "player" in the action. The technique is used in many studies in Anthropology and Sociology. Often the researcher actually takes on the role being studied; for example, living in a commune, becoming a firefighter, enrolling in flight training school, working in a mental hospital (or passing as a patient), being a cocktail waitress, living among the mushroom hunters of the northwest, or joining a cult.

Participant observation is based on living among the people under study for a lenghty period, usually a year, and gathering data through continuous involvement in their lives and activities.