A sociologist is studying the behavior of children in a school. How would this sociologist engage in participant-observation effectively?
A) by observing the seating habits of school children in the cafeteria
B) by sitting with the children in the lunchroom and eating with various groups
C) by having the children report who they typically sit with at lunch
D) by reducing the number of seats in the school's cafeteria

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Participant-observation involves the researcher actively engaging in the environment they are studying. By sitting with the children and eating with various groups, the sociologist becomes a part of the setting, allowing for a deeper understanding of the children's behavior and social interactions.

A Sociologist Is Studying the Behavior of Children in a School