RLO: Participant and non-participant observation - making the right choice

Participant or Non-Participant?

There are two basic methods of observation open to the researcher: participant and non-participant.

The participant observer will take part in the situation being studied, rather than simply acting as a 'researcher'.

The non-participant observer, unsurprisingly, will not take part in the situation being studied, but may well be present in the environment.

This distinction is not as clear-cut as it may seem. Can an observer ever participate fully, and does the non-participant ever have no impact on the situation?

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