Naturalistic Quick Summary
Study guide for Quiz 1
What characterizes naturalistic research?
Naturalistic observation is a research method commonly used by psychologists and other social scientists. This technique involves observing subjects in their natural environment. This type of research is often utilized in situations where conducting lab research is unrealistic, cost prohibitive or would unduly affect the subject's behavior.
Naturalistic observation differs from structured observation in that it involves looking at a behavior as it occurs in its natural setting with no attempts at intervention on the part of the researcher.
Quick Summary: Naturalistic Research is the direct observation of events as they occur in their natural settings.
What are some naturalistic …show more content…
They are often accompanied by Interviews of the individuals involved in the setting, practice, or group. Never altering its natural setting from start to finish.
What are some classic examples of naturalistic field research?
Non-participant observation
The researcher observes subjects of the study with their consent but without taking an active role in the situation
Critique: the researcher’s very presence may change how subjects would naturally act
Participant observation
The researcher observes and takes part in the situation under study and often becomes immersed in the environment
Critique: the researcher’s presence and interaction with study subjects will change how subjects would otherwise act
Interviews:
Informal interviews
The researcher talks with study participants, often in the field, without an interview schedule—study subjects may see this as mere conversation
Informal interviewing may uncover new topics the researcher was unaware of, or help explain some phenomenon (s)he is interested in.
Formal interviews
The researcher schedules a time to meet with a study subject and is guided by an interview schedule (s)he has …show more content…
HOW does X group function?
It may also be best when other methods are not practical
Could you study street gangs, a social movement, or a small town effectively with a questionnaire or a lab experiment?
What is the underlying philosophy of naturalistic field research?
Immersion: Long-term, and in-depth contact with people as they go about their daily lives permits researchers to understand people’s beliefs and practices more fully than is possible through some other methods
?What are the origins of naturalistic field research?
Naturalism (1800s and early 1900s): social processes should be studied in their natural setting
Participant observation (1920s-1950s)
“Participant observation asserted that by empathetically participating in an intimate and sustained fashion the fieldworker gained privileged access to the meanings that infuse the daily lives and activities of those studied” (Emerson 2001:13).
Concern over “reactive effects”: influence of observer on study participant/group behavior
What are some basic rules to follow when making notes of field observations?
Do not harm
What characterizes naturalistic research?
Naturalistic observation is a research method commonly used by psychologists and other social scientists. This technique involves observing subjects in their natural environment. This type of research is often utilized in situations where conducting lab research is unrealistic, cost prohibitive or would unduly affect the subject's behavior.
Naturalistic observation differs from structured observation in that it involves looking at a behavior as it occurs in its natural setting with no attempts at intervention on the part of the researcher.
Quick Summary: Naturalistic Research is the direct observation of events as they occur in their natural settings.
What are some naturalistic …show more content…
They are often accompanied by Interviews of the individuals involved in the setting, practice, or group. Never altering its natural setting from start to finish.
What are some classic examples of naturalistic field research?
Non-participant observation
The researcher observes subjects of the study with their consent but without taking an active role in the situation
Critique: the researcher’s very presence may change how subjects would naturally act
Participant observation
The researcher observes and takes part in the situation under study and often becomes immersed in the environment
Critique: the researcher’s presence and interaction with study subjects will change how subjects would otherwise act
Interviews:
Informal interviews
The researcher talks with study participants, often in the field, without an interview schedule—study subjects may see this as mere conversation
Informal interviewing may uncover new topics the researcher was unaware of, or help explain some phenomenon (s)he is interested in.
Formal interviews
The researcher schedules a time to meet with a study subject and is guided by an interview schedule (s)he has …show more content…
HOW does X group function?
It may also be best when other methods are not practical
Could you study street gangs, a social movement, or a small town effectively with a questionnaire or a lab experiment?
What is the underlying philosophy of naturalistic field research?
Immersion: Long-term, and in-depth contact with people as they go about their daily lives permits researchers to understand people’s beliefs and practices more fully than is possible through some other methods
?What are the origins of naturalistic field research?
Naturalism (1800s and early 1900s): social processes should be studied in their natural setting
Participant observation (1920s-1950s)
“Participant observation asserted that by empathetically participating in an intimate and sustained fashion the fieldworker gained privileged access to the meanings that infuse the daily lives and activities of those studied” (Emerson 2001:13).
Concern over “reactive effects”: influence of observer on study participant/group behavior
What are some basic rules to follow when making notes of field observations?
Do not harm