PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AS A RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.

The article discusses the use of the participant observation method for research purposes in art education. After defining epistemology, the author describes the nature, purpose and focus of participant observation and diverse views of art educators regarding it. The dimensions of this methodology have been classified along four types, emphasis on the descriptive narrative, generation of theory, verification of theory and qualification of data. The procedure of this method has been explicated through two branches of epistemology, naturalism and idealism. A brief part of the research done to find out the dynamics of curriculum implementation is also mentioned along with a summary of the matters discussed in the paper.