Google

Undisguised participant observation is a research approach where investigators actively integrate themselves into the group they are studying while openly disclosing their identities and research purposes to the members. Because the participants are fully aware that they are being observed by a researcher, this method is more vulnerable to participant reactivity than disguised approaches.

Undisguised Participant Observation

Sociologist Amy Wilkins provided an example of undisguised participant observation in her 2008 study of a university-based religious group that strongly emphasized member happiness. Over the course of 12 months, Wilkins actively participated in the group's events and conducted interviews, while being open about her role as a researcher. She found that the group maintained its happy facade by constantly discussing happiness, suppressing negative emotions, and using their cheerful disposition to separate themselves from outsiders.

Learn Before

Related