Naturalistic Observation

It's sometimes referred to as fieldwork because it requires researchers to go out into the field (the natural setting) to collect data on their participants. | For example, cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead used naturalistic observation to study the daily lives of different groups in the South Pacific. | Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects of interest in their normal, everyday setting. | The approach doesn't always require researchers to observe people in such exotic environments, however. | It can be conducted in any kind of social or organizational setting, including offices, schools, or just about any other place where people can be observed.