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 research method entails the researcher immersing themselves in the daily lives and activities of the group they are studying. By doing so, they can gather in-depth qualitative data through direct observation and interaction, allowing them to gain insights into the social dynamics, behaviors, and cultural norms of the community.

Participant observation enhances the quality of findings because it enables the researcher to understand the context and meaning behind actions and interactions within the community. This method is particularly valuable in sociology as it fosters a deeper understanding of social phenomena from the perspective of those being studied, providing a rich, nuanced view of the subject matter.

Other approaches like surveys typically involve collecting data through questionnaires without the researcher engaging with participants in their environment. Case studies may focus on an in-depth analysis of a single group or instance, but do not necessarily require the researcher to actively participate in the community. Controlled experiments are structured settings where variables are manipulated to observe outcomes, which significantly differs from the immersive nature of participant observation.