What is an example of a naturalistic observation

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated March 28, 2022 | Published June 22, 2021

Updated March 28, 2022

Published June 22, 2021

Naturalistic observation involves researching and analyzing a client without their knowledge so that you can gain a better understanding of their normal behaviors and daily patterns. Learning what naturalistic observation is can help you perform research that's valid and reliable. In this article, we discuss what naturalistic observation is, explain the different types of naturalistic observation and provide a list of steps you can take to conduct a naturalistic observation on your own.

What is naturalistic observation?

Naturalistic observation is a type of research method that professionals performing research can use to get honest and valid information. It involves observing clients in their natural environments, like their home, work or a place that they enjoy visiting, to understand their normal routines and behaviors, and to avoid anxious feelings that may happen in a clinical setting. During their observations, researchers recognize common patterns and behaviors, like their client's coping mechanisms, communication skills, decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, common behavior patterns.

Who uses naturalistic observation?

While psychologists most commonly use naturalistic observation in their field, there are several other professionals who can use the research method as well. Here are some professionals who use naturalistic observation in their field:

• Teachers: In the classroom, teachers can observe students to better understand their behaviors, like watching them at recess to see how they interact with other students.

• Wildlife biologists: While researching, wildlife biologists can use naturalistic observation to observe wild animals in their natural habitats to better understand their behaviors and daily patterns.

• Medical professionals: To better analyze a patient, medical professionals may use naturalistic observation by observing their patients while at home. This can give doctors an insight into a patient's mental and physical health.

• Law enforcement officers: Members of law enforcement may analyze an individual's behaviors using naturalistic observation to identify unlawful acts. For example, police officers may sit in an undetected spot to find if cars are speeding.

Related: Research Skills: Definition and Examples

Benefits of naturalistic observation

Here are several benefits of using naturalistic observation:

Offers a more reliable result

If a researcher observes their client while the client is unaware that they're being watched, they may get more reliable and honest results. Since the client is likely more comfortable in the natural setting, the researcher may be able to identify behaviors and patterns that they wouldn't have encountered in a clinical setting.

Gives insight into normal social behavior

Since people may react differently in a natural setting than they would in a psychologist's office or medical facility, researchers can get an insight into normal social behavior when using naturalistic observation. They can research the choices and behaviors that their client makes while interacting with others, and their research may help them to identify issues and determine the cause.

Has a higher validity than other research methods

Since naturalistic observation relies on identifying natural behaviors, many professionals believe it's more valid than other research methods. Oftentimes, other research methods involve observing a patient while they know they're being watched, which may cause them to act differently than they normally would. In naturalistic observation, clients don't know that a researcher is observing them, which makes their behaviors more real and leads to the research having high validity.

Related: Types of Research: Definitions and Examples

Types of naturalistic observation collection methods

Here are several types of collection methods that researchers use when conducting a naturalistic observation:

Time sampling

Time sampling is when a researcher records what a client is doing during certain intervals of time. This helps them to identify regular routines that the client keeps, which can lead to them developing research on common patterns. For example, a researcher may observe a giraffe during the first 15 minutes of each hour to identify what they're doing, to see if they can recognize a trend in their daily patterns.

Related: How Analyzing Data Can Improve Decision-Making

Event sampling

Event sampling is when a researcher records each time a specific event happens. This helps researchers to identify patterns in when specific events happen since they can observe if there was an event that triggered the recorded event. For example, a teacher may record each time a student reacts violently. Then, they can identify if there was a trigger that caused the student to react violently during each event, which can help them find the root cause of the student's aggression.

Situation sampling

Situation sampling is when researchers observe their client's behavior in more than one situation. This allows researchers to have a better idea of how their client acts in several types of settings, rather than one specific setting. Recognizing how a client acts in various situations allows researchers to compare the differences in behaviors and find if there's a reason for negative behavior.

For example, a psychologist may observe how their patient acts when they're alone at a park, then they may observe how their client acts at a party with several people. If the client acts negatively at the party, though they act positively when alone, then the psychologist can recognize that the social situation may cause the negative reaction.

Related: Observation Skills: Definition and Examples

Audio and video recording sampling

If it is appropriate to do so, researchers may record their client during a naturalistic observation. This can help them have a record of their observation that they can compare to older observations to recognize differences and track a client's progress. They must get permission from the client before taking audio or video recordings during an observation. For example, a physical therapist may record their patient while they walk on the sidewalk, then show the video to the patient to present their progress in their physical therapy.

Observer narrative sampling

Observer narrative sampling occurs when a researcher takes detailed notes throughout their observation that they can refer to later. They may use their notes to write research papers or show their client the notes that they took. For example, a psychologist may use their notes during their client's session to outline specific behaviors or repeated patterns they observed during their naturalistic observation.

Tally counts sampling

Tally counts sampling is when a researcher records a tally each time an event occurs. They may have a list, graph or chart with information that they can place a tally next to. This allows them to easily count the number of times their client performed a specific behavior.

How to conduct naturalistic observation

Though the steps of a naturalistic observation vary depending on your field, here are the steps you can use to conduct a general naturalistic observation:

1. Determine the scope of the study

When beginning a naturalistic observation, first determine the scope of the study by determining all aspects you want to include in your research. Think of a topic that you want to research, then list all the elements that relate to that topic. For example, if you're performing research on an animal in the rainforest, think of the normal behaviors for that animal, then list the behaviors that you want to learn more about. This gives you a solid foundation to help you develop the rest of your observation details.

2. Select who to observe

Next, select who you want to observe during your naturalistic observation. You may have a specific client that you're conducting an observation on, or you can select random individuals to observe, based on your research topics.

3. Determine an observation time

Depending on the client you're observing, choose an observation time where you can easily observe them performing their daily behaviors and patterns. Try to choose a time where they will perform their normal behaviors. For example, if you're a researcher studying social norms for eating in a restaurant, you may conduct research in a restaurant during lunch or dinner time, when the restaurant has more people.

4. Collect data

Once you have determined all the details for your observation, it's time to collect data by observing your client. You can choose the naturalistic observation type that works best for you to use while conducting your research. For example, if you're researching the amount of times that cars speed on a specific road, you may use a tally chart to record each time a car drives over 65 miles per hour.