The Observational Method

The observational method is a research approach where researchers watch and record behaviors or events as they happen in real-time, without interference. It helps gather firsthand information about how people or situations operate naturally. This method is useful for understanding actual behaviors, patterns, or interactions in their real environment, rather than relying on self-reports or surveys. It’s often used in fields like sociology, psychology, and anthropology to obtain authentic insights into social dynamics, confirming or challenging assumptions about how people behave in their everyday settings.