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Participant Observation |
Immersive membership in an activity, context, culture, or subculture
- A participant observation (PO) researcher forms deep connections and empathy by experiencing events in the same way as the people they are studying.
- PO is a foundational method of anthropology, adapted for design use through time-limited engagements.
- Systematic observation and recording are critical to document physical aspects of the environment, behaviors, interactions, language, motivations, and perceptions of the participants.
- Marginal participants blend into an environment as natural observers of an activity or event.
- Full participants take on a membership role or may already occupy a role that allows for full participation.
- Participant ...