Episodic participant observation

Critiquing the ideal and offering an inclusive version of participant observation as a supplementary method in qualitative studies

Bibliographic Data

ID3556550
AuthorsRannveig Beito Svendby (0000-0003-3970-1587, University of Inland Norway, corresponding author)
Year2025
Publication date2025-09-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1468-7941 • E-ISSN: 1741-3109
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/14687941251377285
OpenAlexW4414537751
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited23

This article argues that one specific way of conducting participant observation is idealized in the qualitative research community. This ideal is the traditional version which has been and continues to be long-term fieldwork of participant observation far from home. Unfortunate effects of this idealization are the production of one ideal ethnographer as well as systematic exclusion of some groups of academics and their knowledges and perspectives, for instance (some) disabled researchers. To increase accessibility, an inclusive version of the method is introduced under the term 'episodic participant observation'. It opens for a flexible and pragmatic use of participant observation which in this version may be conducted 'episodic', meaning for shorter or longer timespans, planned or spontaneously, and at any location. Two empirical examples are used to illustrate the potential scientific value of 'episodic participant observation' as a supplementary method in qualitative studies

Ethnography · Idealization · Participant observation · Qualitative research · Children's Rights and Participation · Disability Rights and Representation · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics

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Open DOIOpen Access