Editing Naturalistic observation

[[File:Impala mutualism with birds wide.jpg|thumb]]

'''Naturalistic observation''', sometimes referred to as [[Field_research|fieldwork]], is a research methodology in numerous fields of science including ethology, anthropology, linguistics, the social sciences, and  psychology, in which data are collected as they occur in nature, without any manipulation by the observer. Examples range from watching an animal's eating patterns in [[natural habitat|the forest]] to observing the behavior of students in a school setting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://peace.saumag.edu/faculty/kardas/Courses/RMPA/naturalisticobservation.html|title=Naturalistic Observation|website=peace.saumag.edu|access-date=2016-04-15}}</ref><ref name=KCherry>{{cite web |last=Cherry |first=Kendra |title=What Is Naturalistic Observation? |url=http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/naturalistic.htm |publisher=About.com |accessdate=15 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=uconn>{{cite web |title=Psychology 202Q Lab: Naturalistic Observation |url=http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~ps202vc/PDF/NaturalisticObservation.pdf |publisher=[[University of Connecticut]] |accessdate=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928070826/http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~ps202vc/PDF/NaturalisticObservation.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="APA">{{cite web |url=https://dictionary.apa.org/naturalistic-observation |title=naturalistic observation |website=APA Dictionary of Psychology |publisher=American Psychological Association |access-date=2021-02-19}}</ref><ref name=ThoughtCo>{{cite web |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/naturalistic-observation-4777754 |title=What Is Naturalistic Observation? Definition and Examples |last=Vinney |first=Cynthia |date=November 30, 2019 |website=ThoughtCo |publisher=Dotdash |access-date=2021-02-19}}</ref> During naturalistic observation, researchers take great care using [[Unobtrusive research|unobtrusive methods]] to avoid interfering with the behavior they are observing.<ref name=NatObs>{{cite web |title=Naturalistic Observation |publisher=radford.edu |url=http://www.radford.edu/~tpierce/201%20files/201%20handouts/Naturalistic%20Observationl%20ecture%20notes.pdf |accessdate=15 May 2011}}</ref> Naturalistic observation contrasts with [[analog observation]] in an artificial setting that is designed to be an analog of the natural situation, constrained so as to eliminate or control for effects of any variables other than those of interest. There is similarity to [[Observational_study|observational studies]] in which the independent variable of interest cannot be experimentally controlled for ethical or logistical reasons.<ref name=SimplyPsych>{{cite web |url=https://www.simplypsychology.org/observation.html |title=Observation Methods |last=McLeod |first=Saul A. |date=6 June 2015 |website=Simply Psychology |publisher= |access-date=2021-02-19}}</ref>

Naturalistic observation has both advantages and disadvantages as a research methodology. Observations are more credible because the behavior occurs in a real, typical scenario as opposed to an artificial one generated within a lab.<ref name="NatObs" /><ref name=ThoughtCo/> Behavior that could never occur in controlled laboratory environment can lead to new insights.<ref name=ThoughtCo/> Naturalistic observation also allows for study of events that are deemed unethical to study experimentally, such as the impact of high school shootings on students attending the high school.<ref name="NatObs" /><ref name=ThoughtCo/> However, because extraneous variables cannot be controlled as in a laboratory, it is difficult to replicate findings and demonstrate their reliability. In particular, if subjects know they are being observed they may behave differently than otherwise. It may be difficult to generalize findings of naturalistic studies beyond the observed situations.<ref name=ThoughtCo/>

==See also==
* [[Jane Goodall]]
* [[Meditation]]
* [[Natural history]]
* [[Observer-expectancy effect]]
* [[People watching]]
* [[Qualitative research]]
* [[Scholar-practitioner model]]
* [[Unobtrusive measures]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Naturalistic Observation}}
[[Category:Behaviorism]]
[[Category:Psychology experiments]]
[[Category:Qualitative research]]
[[Category:Naturalism (philosophy)]]