The Descriptive Research Strategy — Observation, Surveys, and Case Studies Explained | Chapter 13 of Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences
The Descriptive Research Strategy — Observation, Surveys, and Case Studies Explained | Chapter 13 of Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences Chapter 13 of Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences presents the descriptive research strategy , which seeks to describe variables as they naturally occur, without manipulation or control of conditions. Descriptive studies are not designed to establish cause-and-effect relationships, but they provide valuable insights into real-world behaviors, opinions, and individual experiences. This chapter highlights three major descriptive approaches: observational research, survey research, and case studies . Watch the full chapter summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more psychology study resources and textbook guides. Observational Research Observation allows researchers to record behavior as it naturally occurs. Three primary types are discussed: Naturalistic observation: Observing in real-world settings w...