Final answer:
A symbolic interactionist is most likely to use participant observation as a research technique to deeply understand the social interactions and meanings within a group.
Step-by-step explanation:
The research technique most likely to be used by a symbolic interactionist is participant observation. Studies that take on the symbolic interactionist perspective aim to gain a deep understanding of the symbolic worlds that individuals inhabit. This means that researchers are interested in exploring how individuals interact with each other within their social contexts and how they interpret and give meaning to these interactions.
Qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews or participant observations are preferred because they provide rich, descriptive data that can capture the nuances of social interaction and the subjective experiences of research subjects. Unlike surveys or experiments that tend to collect quantitative data, participant observation allows for a more immersive experience for the researcher, which is vital for grasping the symbolic aspects of social interaction championed by symbolic interactionism.