Participant observation

Participant observation is fundamental to understanding the social dynamics, actions, social behavior, and social practices, of a research partner, be it an individual, such as citizens or neighbors, or a social group, such as the grassroots initiatives or coalitions. It requires the researcher's presence on site, implicating their regular observation of a study case with which the researcher interacts and participates personally, either by its mere presence, dialoguing or conversing with the research object, or engaging in the researched activity. It is characterized by a systematic approach, focus, and methodological control.

Tags/keywords: Method, Qualitative research, ethnographic methods, participatory observation, on-site, social processes, researcher’s interaction/positionality.