Question

Is it an accurate definition of participant observation for an anthropologist to live in a hotel, eat there, and not interact on a personal basis with the people they are studying?

Answer 1

Participant observation is a research methodology where the anthropologist actively participates in the culture they are studying to gain a deeper understanding.

Step-by-step explanation:

Participant observation is a research methodology where the anthropologist actively participates in the culture they are studying in order to gain a deeper understanding. It involves living with and observing the community, and sometimes taking on roles within that community. While living in a hotel and eating there may provide some observations, the lack of personal interaction with the people being studied would limit the richness and depth of the data collected. In participant observation, the researcher seeks to immerse themselves in the culture and interact on a personal basis to gain a comprehensive understanding.