participant observer

n. A researcher conducting participant observation research methodology. Being a participant observer requires simultaneously participating in a naturalistic context and monitoring and/or recording target behaviors or phenomena. The goal of the participant observer is to obtain detailed, intimate information about an environment, group, event, or experience. Through intensive involvement in the natural environment, the participant observer is able to gain an in-depth perspective of phenomena or experiences that may not be easily observed by external evaluation. Generally, the participant observer’s role and purpose in the study are not obvious to others involved in the situation (so that others do not change their behavior as a function of the study). For example, a participant observer interested in studying the psychological consequences of being homeless may immerse himself/herself in the context and spend time living as a homeless person and observing the other homeless individuals in their environment. – BJM