Final answer:
Researchers use Participant Observation as a method where they immerse themselves in a community, often without fully disclosing their intentions, to gain a firsthand understanding of the subject studied.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some investigators use the Participant Observation method by commissioning subjects/people to maintain a record of activities for a specified period of time. This can be the case if a researcher either lives within the community they are studying. Participant Observation is a qualitative research approach where researchers immerse themselves in a community or environment, often without disclosing their true identity or research intentions, in order to get a firsthand experience of the subject being studied.
For example, to observe a spiritual retreat center, an ethnographer might attend a retreat as a guest and record observations. This approach allows for a deep understanding of the culture and behavior of the participants, which might not be evident through other methods. Especially in scenarios where researchers cannot unobtrusively observe, such as in prisons or with secretive organizations like the Ku Klux Klan, Participant Observation provides a vital way of collecting data without altering the environment.