Final answer:
The major problems associated with participant observation as a research strategy include observer bias and the challenge of maintaining objectivity while immersed in the environment being studied.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the major problems associated with the use of participant observation as a research strategy is observer bias. This issue arises when researchers, immersed in the environment they're studying, unconsciously skew their observations to align with their own hypotheses or expectations. To minimize this bias, it is essential to have clear criteria for recording behaviors and to employ inter-rater reliability, where multiple observers assess the consistency of observations on the same events.
Another significant challenge is balancing immersion with detachment; researchers need to maintain their research objectives without becoming too involved and losing their sociological perspective. The data gathered through participant observation tend to be qualitative and descriptive, which may not allow for establishing causal relationships due to small sample sizes and the emphasis on observing correlations.