Exploratory Methods for Behavior Research

[Name of the Author]

[Name of the Institute]

Table of Contents

Introduction2

Discussion2

Naturalistic Observation2

Participant & Non participant Observation4

Systematic observation4

Content Analysis5

Archival research6

Case Study7

Psychobiography7

Coding system8

References9

Introduction

This paper discusses methods for exploratory research and their application. The methods discussed in this paper primarily focus on the qualitative research.

Discussion

Naturalistic Observation

Naturalistic observation is a research method that is used to examine and to record the behavior of an organism in a natural setting. In this method, the data for research and analysis is collected with no manipulation of the environment that surrounds the subject under consideration. When naturalistic observation is done in the context of social sciences, it may refer to observation of humans and animals and their behaviors in real life settings. In the context of natural sciences, the naturalistic observation may be used to conduct observation of physical phenomena, such as a hurricane formation.

The main issue with observational study involves the behavior of the subjects themselves. The subjects, when aware that they are being observed, may change their natural behavior and affect the research and analysis. Advent of technology has made this type of research relatively easier, but still, it is the most difficult research to carry out without biases. To ensure impartiality in the collection of data the very presence of the researcher and the data recording technologies that are used must remain unobtrusive to the subjects under consideration and the environment in which the subjects are present.

The major of this method for data collection is that the data that is collected from naturalistic observation mirrors the restrictions and freedoms of the subject's normal environment. Intelligent subjects, in particular, may alter their behavior in an artificial environment where the subjects are aware that they are part of an experiment. When naturalistic observation is used in natural science studies, it may help in studying nature, in purely natural terms, to validate some theoretical concept.

The method for collection of data in naturalistic observation is of fundamental importance. The method is the difference between impartiality and biases of the collected data. The task of naturalistic observation is to observe and collect data from subjects over a period of time. This can be done with simplest recording instruments such as pen and paper or it may take most sophisticated recording equipment to do the job such as video cameras, motion detectors and infrared sensors. The method and equipment that is to be used is determined by the nature of environment and the subjects under study. The methods for data collection are primarily divided into two categories, participant and non participant. In participant naturalistic observation, the investigator may directory become part of the group of subjects under consideration, and in non participant observation the investigator only observes the subjects with unobtrusive observational and recording techniques.

Primary data that is obtained by naturalistic observation is qualitative. This is due to the descriptive nature of the process that is being observed. The naturalistic observation method records the behavior of the subjects under consideration and behavior is a quality which can ...