As an observational researcher you will not need to make choices about how you undertake your observations.

As an observational researcher in a naturalistic setting, you will not take the advantage of the opportunity to observe a activity as it occurs organically.

You may be able to justify covert observation on research grounds in the light of your research questions and objectives.

Observation may not be conducted in a virtual setting, involving Internet-mediated observation.

One characteristic of participant observation is developing vague awareness.

Moderate participation does not take on those attributes of being an ‘insider’ necessary to continue observing while maintaining other characteristics of being an ‘outsider’.

Observation involves the systematic viewing, recording, description, analysis and interpretation of people’s behaviour in a given setting.

Your status in relation to informants is an aspect to consider in choosing an observer role in an observational setting.

In active participation you would enter research setting as an ‘outsider’ to observe but with the intention of learning how to participate in it in order to obtain an understanding that is similar to that of being an ‘insider’.

As an observational researcher you will decide to choose to participate in the event being observed.