In a qualitative research approach, naturalistic observation involves recording your study participants’ activities in real-life conditions. In naturalistic observation, you don’t interfere with or influence any factors.

Naturalistic observation might be thought of as purposeful observation of individuals.

One of the research approaches employed in an observational research model is naturalistic observation. Controlled observation is another typical form of observation. In this instance, the experimenter observes the subject in a controlled setting. The observer is in charge of most variables and ensures that they are systematically observed.

What is meant by naturalistic observation?

Naturalistic observations allow you to observe your research participants in their natural surroundings, allowing you to learn about their behaviours without any external interference or manipulation. It’s a research technique that’s commonly employed in field investigations.

Veterinary scientists, psychiatrists, ethnographers, and anthropologists have historically employed naturalistic observation investigations. Naturalistic observations are a good way to generate hypotheses since they provide a lot of evidence that can lead to further investigation.

Example of use of naturalistic observation in zoology

The word “imprinting” was coined by naturalist Konrad Lorenz in the 1930s to define a vital period of learning for animals. After watching baby birds and goslings mature and carefully recording their behaviour, he formulated the idea.

He felt that all these birds imprinted on the first prospective caregiver in their environment. They swiftly learned to mimic their parents and behaviours, depending on his naturalistic observations.

Later, he performed studies to verify the concept and discovered that his theory was correct.

Naturalistic observation is beneficial for analysing behaviours and activities that are difficult to duplicate in a lab environment.

The different types of naturalistic observation methods

The following are the two main types of naturalistic observations

• Covert or overt: In this case, researchers may either conceal or disclose their identity as an observer to the people they are observing.
• Participant or non-participant: You either join the exercise or monitor from the stands.

All of them occur in realistic contexts rather than controlled laboratory ones, which is significant. Although you may fully engage in some kinds of observations, you don’t try to influence people or interfere too much with the activity you’re observing.

Data collection techniques
For naturalistic observations, you may employ several data gathering approaches.

Recordings
It’s a normal practice nowadays to capture observations on sound/video so that you may review them later or exchange those with other qualified observers. Therefore, it’s essential to conceal the recording equipment, so they don’t interrupt your participants.

Before recording somebody, ensure you get their explicit consent in writing.

Example
You set up video cameras at a schoolyard to track the number and nature of encounters between the kids and their friends over time. You make certain that the recording devices are hidden from view so that your study subjects don’t notice them.

Taking notes
While doing naturalistic observations, one might also take notes. In an unstructured manner, jot down everything that appears significant or essential to you, dependent on your study subject and preferences.

Example
In a college bar, you monitor the relationship between interpersonal relationships and alcohol consumption and take notes. You keep track of the amount of beer consumed by study subjects, the quantity and intensity of their conversation, their overall temperaments, and anything else that stands out.

Tallies
When researching certain behaviours or occurrences, it’s typically useful to track how many times they occur over a given period. A tally count may be used to record each event that you notice in the present quickly.

Sampling of data
When conducting research in realistic, unregulated contexts, you may gather a lot of data. Therefore, data sampling is frequently used to make data collecting easier.

You may use data sampling to limit the scope of your data collection to certain periods or occurrences.

Time sampling
You keep track of observations at specified times. These periods might be chosen at random or in a planned manner. You keep track of whether your preferred actions happen during certain times.

Example
In a class, you observe the social behaviours of the students. Then, over a few days, you watch and record all social behaviours for ten minutes every hour.

Event sampling
Observations are recorded only when specific events occur. However, you may keep track of the regularity of the occurrence with a tally count or make notes every time you see it.

Example
In a class of first graders, you emphasise collaborative behaviours. Observe and take notes whenever you see the students engaging in helpful social actions during group activities.

The benefits of naturalistic observation

Naturalistic observation is a powerful technique due to its versatility, external validity, and applicability for studying issues that cannot be researched in a lab.

✓ Versatility
You’re not limited by precise methods since naturalistic observation is a non-experimental approach. You may avoid adopting inflexible protocols and, if necessary, adjust your procedures in the middle of a project.

✓ Ecological validity
Naturalistic observations have a high level of ecological validity since they are conducted in real-life situations rather than in labs. Inside and outside the lab, people might not always behave the same way. When your subjects aren’t aware they’re being watched, they act more naturally.

✓ Innovation
Naturalistic observations allow you to investigate things that you couldn’t explore in the laboratory due to ethical concerns. You could also use technologies to record discussions, activities, or other sounds if you have permission or if it is generally ethically acceptable.

The drawbacks of naturalistic observation

Naturalistic observation has several drawbacks, including a lack of scientific supervision, ethical concerns, and the possibility of subject and investigator prejudice.

⤫ Control issues
You can’t regulate the surroundings or any factors when conducting research in natural settings. You won’t be capable of drawing inferences regarding causal linkages without this control. In addition, you might not be able to repeat your findings in different situations, with different people, or at different periods.

⤫ Considerations of morality
Most individuals don’t want to be watched while they go about their daily lives without their knowledge or agreement. So it’s critical to preserve people’s privacy and avoid being intrusive constantly. Naturalistic observations should also be used exclusively in public places where people know that they will not be alone.

⤫ The bias of the observer
There’s still the possibility of observer biases in naturalistic observations since data is collected informally. Your expectations and perceptions about the conduct might result from your personal experience, which might not accurately represent reality. This form of bias is very common in techniques of participant observation.

⤫ Subjectivity
When you observe individuals in their native surroundings, they may be aware that you are watching them. Consequently, individuals may alter their conduct to conform to their standards by acting in more socially acceptable ways.

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