1. Naturalistic Observation
Naturalistic observation involves observing and recording the variables of interest in the natural environment without interference or manipulation by the experimenter. Advantages of Naturalistic Observation:
•Gives the experimenter the opportunity to view the variable of interest in a natural setting.
•Can offer ideas for further research.
•May be the only option if lab experimentation is not possible.
Disadvantages of Naturalistic Observation:
•Can be time consuming and expensive.
•Does not allow for scientific control of variables.
•Experimenters cannot control extraneous variables.
•Subjects may be aware of the observer and may act differently as a result. decreases self-esteem. Other variables might play a role, including social relationships, cognitive abilities, personality, socio-economic status, and myriad other factors.
