Research Method – Unit 4 Assignment
Naturalistic Observation
This assignment entails differentiating between naturalistic observation and participant observation. You will get to briefly be a researcher and conduct your own naturalistic observation!
Assignment Directions
Using the Unit 4 Assignment Template, respond to the following:
Identify whether each scenario is a naturalistic observation or participant observation.
Plan for your naturalistic observations by:
- Preparing a research question.
- Identifying your research hypothesis.
- Describing the behaviors you will focus on.
- Then, conduct a 15-minute naturalistic observation and provide a summary of the data that you collected in the table on the template.
- Lastly, in at least 3–5 sentences, explore if the data seems to support or disconfirm your hypothesis and how. You do not need to run statistical analyses.
Unit 4 Assignment Template
Choose any one of the topics or otherwise write on any observation topic you know
Topics:
- Parenting of Preschool Children’s Media Use in the Home
- Examining forcefulness of children, and recording how frequently a modest student speaks up in class
- Observing or watching dogs play in the park
- Children playing at the playground
- Observing people at the Mcdonnel
Use any of the websites:
- Purdueglobal.edu/advancedserarch
- library.purdueglobal.edu/pglibraryintroguide
- ProQuest = psychology Database
Unit 4 Assignment – Unit 4 Assignment Template
Name:
Identify whether each scenario in the table below is a naturalistic observation or participant observation.
| Question | Term |
| If you want to collect data on people’s feelings, attitudes, or thoughts, the study would be a ____________________. | |
| If you want to collect data on behavior as it naturally occurs, a _____________________ would be ideal. | |
| If you want to collect data on people that you know and/or are interacting with, the study would be a ___________________. | |
| If you want to collect data on parents and their children at an amusement park, a ________________ would be ideal. |
What is your research question for your naturalistic observation?
What is your research hypothesis?
What behaviors will you focus on?
Based on your 15-minute naturalistic observation, provide a summary of the data that you collected in the table below.
| Time Frame | Behavior | Data |
| First five minutes | ||
| Second five minutes | ||
| Third five minutes |
In at least 3–5 sentences, explore if the data seems to support or disconfirm your hypothesis and how. Note that you do not need to run statistical analyses.
