Final answer:
A disadvantage of participant-observation is that it can be time-consuming and require researchers to pretend to be someone they are not. The qualitative nature of the information gathered through this method may result in descriptive or interpretive findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
A disadvantage of participant-observation as pioneered by Malinowski is that it can be time-consuming and require the researcher to pretend to be someone they are not. This method involves immersing oneself within a group or culture, and it may take months or even years to gain trust and access to authentic behaviors. Furthermore, the qualitative nature of the information gathered through participant observation can result in descriptive or interpretive findings, which may not be as measurable or generalizable as quantitative data.