How is participant observation different from ethnography?
A) It is unobtrusive
B) It is conducted "in the field"
C) It generates qualitative data
D) It is suitable for an inductive approach to research

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Participant observation is not unobtrusive; it involves the researcher actively engaging with the participants and their environment, which can influence the behavior being studied. Ethnography, on the other hand, encompasses a broader set of methods including participant observation but aims to be more holistic and immersive, often trying to minimize its intrusiveness to better understand cultural and social phenomena.

How Is Participant Observation Different from Ethnography