Participant observation is a key method of research widely used in sociology and anthropology, particularly in ethnographic studies, in which the researcher takes part in the activities, routines, and daily life of a group or community being studied over an extended period of time, while also systematically observing their behaviour and interactions in their natural setting. The goal of participant observation is to gain an in-depth understanding of the group's culture, perspectives, and social world from an insider's point of view, by immersing oneself in their environment and experiencing life as they do. This method allows researchers to gather rich, qualitative data about social processes, meanings, and practices that may not be accessible through other research techniques like surveys or interviews alone.