Covert Participant Observation Introduction
Next time, I'll stick to questionnaires...This version of participant observation involves the researcher joining and researching a group without informing the members of that group. In this respect, the research is carried-out secretly (covertly), since as far as the other members of the group are aware, the researcher has simply joined (or been admitted to) the group to participate in their usual activities.

This method has certain advantages and disadvantages for the researcher, since they will have to balance the twin roles of researcher and participant whilst keeping the former role secret from other group members.