Which of the following is true regarding participant observation?

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Question restatement: The prompt asks which statement is true about participant observation and provides four answer choices.
Option 1: 'The researcher is part of the group of individuals being observed to some extent' is accurate. In participant observation, the researcher engages with the group, sometimes adopting roles within the setting to gain deeper insider understanding, which is the hallmark of this method.
Option 2: 'Observation from distance and the researcher ideally has no effect on the behavior being observed' is incorrect. A key feature of participant observation is the researcher’s immersion and presence within the group, which often influences behavior (reactivity) and how participants act, even if subtly.
Option 3: 'Participants are not aware of the observation so it completely eliminates reactivity effect' is false. In most participant observation, participants know they are being observed (or at least notice the researcher’s presence), and reactivity—changes in behavior due to being observed—remains a concern that researchers must address.
Option 4: 'Structured observation and controlled observation are typical forms of it' is misleading. Participant observation is typically an unstructured or semi-structured, naturalistic approach used in field settings; structured or controlled observations are more characteristic of overt, systematic observational methods that aim for higher control and predefined categories, not the classic participant observation style.
Weighing these, the statement that describes the essence of participant observation most faithfully is Option 1, since it emphasizes the researcher’s integration into the group to observe phenomena from within.

2025/26/1 PSYB19-104 1 - Basics of Research Methods Exam (16 December, 11:00)

Which of the following is true regarding participant observation?

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