What is Naturalistic Observation?

Definition

a research method in which people or other subjects are observed in their natural setting.

Use: study specific social or cultural settings

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Applications

observing subjects of interest in their normal, everyday setting

social or organizational setting

generate new ideas

immerse themselves in the setting

Scope of the Observation

collect quantitative data by counting the number of times a specific behavior occurs

require the researcher to describe, analyze, and interpret what was observed

Sampling Methods

Time sampling

Event sampling

Situation sampling

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Pros&Cons

Advantages

greater external validity

unique insights.

study things that would be impossible or unethical to reproduce in a lab

Disadvantages

control for different

Lack of control over external variables

limited number of settings.