PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER TWO: TYPES OF RESEARCH GUIDELINES FOR NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION

A naturalistic observation is one in which the observer observes his/her subjects in their natural environment. You will be conducting a naturalistic observation either on the CDO campus or in an environment you choose. Complete the following steps.

1. Identify the group of people you want to observe. You may choose a group of people, or several individuals to observe. You may choose a location first, and then identify the group. 2. When you have identified the group, check with the appropriate authorities (if that applies) to make sure it is ok with them. This includes employers/coworkers if this observation will take place at your job, and teachers if this will take place at school. 3. It helps to make a list of behaviors you want to observe and document. If you are observing a class, what behaviors of the students do you want to look for? 4. Be prepared for the observation. Bring lots of paper, preferably a notebook and a pen to take notes. Plan to abbreviate your writing, and practice writing notes without looking at your paper so that you don’t miss anything. 5. Make sure your “subjects” don’t know you are observing them. Behaviors change when people know they are being watched! 6. Allow at least 30 minutes for your observation and be sure to get at least 1 page of notes. 7. Complete your observation by Monday, August 31. 8. You will complete observation reflection questions after the observation is complete in class Monday August 31.

PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER TWO: TYPES OF RESEARCH GUIDELINES FOR NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION

A naturalistic observation is one in which the observer observes his/her subjects in their natural environment. You will be conducting a naturalistic observation either on the CDO campus or in an environment you choose. Complete the following steps.

1. Identify the group of people you want to observe. You may choose a group of people, or several individuals to observe. You may choose a location first, and then identify the group. 2. When you have identified the group, check with the appropriate authorities (if that applies) to make sure it is ok with them. This includes employers/coworkers if this observation will take place at your job, and teachers if this will take place at school. 3. It helps to make a list of behaviors you want to observe and document. If you are observing a class, what behaviors of the students do you want to look for? 4. Be prepared for the observation. Bring lots of paper, preferably a notebook and a pen to take notes. Plan to abbreviate your writing, and practice writing notes without looking at your paper so that you don’t miss anything. 5. Make sure your “subjects” don’t know you are observing them. Behaviors change when people know they are being watched! 6. Allow at least 30 minutes for your observation and be sure to get at least 1 page of notes. 7. Complete your observation by Monday, August 31. 8. You will complete observation reflection questions after the observation is complete in class Monday August 31.