participant observation

American  

noun

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of participant observation

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

They use participant observation and analysis to explore, rather than weapons and unequal trades.

From The Verge • Jan. 24, 2018

One short project turned into another, which turned into another, which evolved into full-blown ethnographic research drawing from dozens of formal interviews and thousands of hours of participant observation.

From Scientific American • May 15, 2015

It’s called participant observation, this research method of anthropology.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover