Participant observation is a qualitative research method where a researcher immerses themselves in a group to observe and participate in their daily lives over an extended period of time. This allows the researcher to gain an intimate understanding of the group's practices, behaviors, and culture. There are various levels of participation a researcher can take, from non-participatory observation to complete participation where they are already a member of the group. While this provides valuable insights, it also has limitations such as potential researcher bias and not capturing a fully objective view of the group.