Analog observation is, in contrast to
naturalistic observation, a research tool by which a subject is observed in an artificial setting. Typically, types of settings in which analog observation is utilized include clinical offices or research laboratories, but, by definition, analog observations can be made in any artificial environment, even if the environment is one which the subject is likely to encounter naturally.
Applications
Analog observation is typically divided into two iteration of application: The first iteration primarily studies the effect of manipulation of variables in the subject's environment, including setting and events, on the subject's behavior. The second iteration primarily seeks to observe the subject's behavior in
quasi-experimental social situations.
See also
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Psychological research
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Psychological research methods
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Naturalistic observation
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Observational study
In fields such as epidemiology, social sciences, psychology and statistics, an observational study draws inferences from a sample to a population where the independent variable is not under the control of the researcher because of ethical co ...
References
Behaviorism
Psychology experiments
Qualitative research
Naturalism (philosophy)
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