naturalistic observations

Naturalistic observation is a research method where researchers observe subjects in their normal environment without interference. The goal is to understand how individuals behave naturally, without the influence of experimental conditions. For example, a scientist might watch children playing in a park to see how they interact or study animals in the wild. This approach provides authentic insights into real-world behavior, but it can be less controlled than laboratory studies. Overall, naturalistic observation helps researchers understand genuine behaviors in their typical settings.