Participant observation is qualitative and derives from the work of social anthropology early in the first century.

Structured observation – is concerned with frequency of actions (quantitative).

A single location may be a real-world location or it may be an experimental setting you design yourself.

In observational research, those who agree to be observed are usually called informants.

Structured observation where the researcher attempts to participate fully in the lives and actions of subjects, enabling them to not merely observe what is happening but also feeling it’.

As you become a member of the group within which participant observation is conducted, you come to understand the symbolic world of the informants and their perceptions about their social situation.

Standardisation is important where you wish to compare between individuals or groups.

Observation may be conducted in a virtual setting, involving Internet-mediated observation.

Structured observation cannot be combined with unstructured, qualitative observation in an initial exploratory stage.

It is not important you being critically reflective and engaging in reflexivity throughout the research process.