Which approach involves the researcher becoming part of the community being studied?

The approach that involves the researcher becoming part of the community being studied is participant observation. This qualitative research method allows sociologists and other social scientists to observe and engage with the subjects in their natural environment, which provides deeper insights into their behaviors, social interactions, and cultural contexts. By immersing themselves in the community, researchers can gather firsthand data and experiences that are often not accessible through other methods, such as surveys or controlled experiments.

In participant observation, the researcher not only observes but may also take on roles within the community, fostering relationships and gaining trust, which can lead to more authentic and nuanced data collection. This can enhance the quality of the findings, as the researcher can witness and experience social dynamics and subtleties that might otherwise be overlooked in more detached research methods.

Other methods, such as surveys, case studies, and controlled experiments, do not require the researcher to be an active participant in the community. Surveys typically involve collecting data through questionnaires without direct engagement with subjects. Case studies focus on an individual or group in depth but may not involve the researcher integrating into the community. Controlled experiments are designed to observe the effects of manipulating variables in a structured setting, which is far removed from the immersive experience provided by participant observation.