The problem with using ethnography as your research method may make you feel like a liar and might cause you to hurt someone. When you go 'undercover' to do the research there is the possibility that you will end up forming close relationships with people. If they found out that it was all for an experiment they will probably not be too happy about that.
One possible solution is to find an informant who can help you gain information about the people in the area you are researching. Doing this would eliminate the need to go undercover. Playing an overt role may not work because as the book mentions, "when people know they are being watched, they may try to impress the observer." (379) This is the reason why finding an alternate way (such as using an informant) to gather information may be the best solution.
I agree that when people know they’re being observed, they tend to put on a show or be on their best behavior, but can you really blame them? I know that when someone pulls out a camera, I turn and smile because that’s the way I would like to be remembered. This is especially true if the viewers of the photograph don’t know me or are judging me based upon the photograph. One can argue this is the same thing when it comes to ethnographers and their observation groups. Another method is an informant, however, like you mentioned, people may feel deceived.
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