To conduct a Participant Observation, the researcher becomes a part of the group s/he is examining and observes “from a member’s perspective” (Flick 2009, p.226). In doing so, s/he risks “[t]o lose this critical external perspective and to unquestioningly adopt the viewpoints shared in the field” (Flick 2009, p.229). This can influence the data because the researcher has to maintain a certain professional distance in order to obtain knowledge (Flick 2009, p.229). Otherwise, remarkable and noteworthy aspects might become taken for granted so that they no longer capture the researchers attention. This process is knows as “going native” (Flick 2009, p.229).

The information gained from Participant Observations can be put into writing and, thus, made accessible for analysis, in the form of Thick Descriptions. To learn more about this method, please click here.

For information on how I used Participant Observation and Thick Description in this specific research, please click here.