-Anushree Ojha, Subject Matter Expert at Edmarz
Solution: The approach of participant observation is used to examine societies. When ethnographers and sociologists have to perform field work that could span months or years, they use this strategy.
During participant observation, ethnographers and sociologists conduct the following:
(i) They either reside or spend the majority of their time with the community members who will be the subject of the research.
(ii) The sociologist or ethnographer becomes practically indistinguishable from the rest of the community.
(iii) They take part in the rites and practices of the communities and keep track of their findings on a regular basis.
(iv) Sociologists and ethnographers rely on a small number of people in the community for information. Informants or main informants are the terms used to describe these individuals.
(v) While the sociologist’s purpose is to research a specific topic, the overarching goal of participant observation is to learn about the community’s complete life.