Naturalisitic Observation
...without becoming actively involved. In performing naturalistic observations, a scientist does not make an effort to manipulate or change what is occurring. The purpose of this kind of experimentation is to create a detailed record of the events that happen and of perceptible associations between events, without having any control on the results. Apparently the objective in performing naturalistic observation is to arrange the data collection so that what is going on is comprehensible to the observer, but is not so important or conspicuous that they become the focus of attention or matter to participants.
Natural observation is the initial phase of many systems of investigation in psychology as well as in other sciences. Such observations give a fundamental implication of the main variables and analytical connections between them which can be examined later in a more thorough manner. Through my experience with naturalistic observation, I tested the relevance of the scientific method. I repeated the explorations of Kalfus by observing the Adelphi University parking lot to determine how many entering cars had drivers wearing their seat belts. The purpose of fulfilling this task was to determine if there is a difference in the number of drivers of one gender utilizing the seat belt from the other as well as determining if there is a difference in Caucasian drivers using the seat belt from African American drivers. I hypothesize that approximately 90% of women drivers will be wearing a seat belt while only 70 % of males will be wearing one. I also hypothesize that 80% of these participants who are wearing a seat belt will be Caucasian and 75% of them will be African American.
To gather my data, I began by preparing a chart. This chart included seven columns that described twenty five cars, a yes and a no column, a female and male column and an...
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