This article responds to Wright and Nelson's (1995) call for a "creative synthesis" of participant observation and participatory research, which may allow the limitations of both methods to be addressed. It does so by reflecting on the experience of doing long-term research both with and on young Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Although participant observation and participatory research may be seen as incompatible approaches, the article explores the impact of employing traditional ethnographic research methods, and facilitating young refugees' own research on issues of their choice. (Contains 9 notes.)