Participant Observation - GCSE Psychology Definition

Participant observation is a research method often used in psychology and social sciences where the researcher becomes involved in the daily activities of the people they are studying. This means the researcher not only watches what people do but also takes part in their activities to get a better understanding of their behaviour and thoughts. By being actively involved, the researcher can discover details that might be missed through other methods like surveys or interviews. This technique helps in obtaining an insider's view of a particular group or community, making it easier to gather detailed and authentic information. However, it's important for the researcher to stay objective and not let their participation influence the results.