Final answer:
The downfalls of participant observation include being intrusive and more expensive. This method involves immersing oneself in a group or social setting to make observations from an "insider" perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The downfalls of participant observation include that it may be intrusive or more expensive. This method involves a researcher immersing themselves in a group or social setting to make observations from an "insider" perspective. However, it can be time-consuming, difficult to assess truthfulness, and may only capture what people think and believe, rather than how they behave in real life.