Naturalistic research

Naturalistic observation

"It is sometimes thought that naturalistic science is 'naturalistic' in the sense that the appearance of phenomena is 'left to nature'. Under such a view, it might be said that the observer merely waits for phenomena to present themselves to him - it is as if he could discover the real world outside by waiting for it to manifest itself.  Observation is a far more interventive process than this…” (Kemmis, 1980: 107)

…the situation is analogous to that in astronomy: the processes of observation and interpretation are controlled (as for experimental research) but control is not exercised over the context of production of the phenomenon. The phrase 'context of production' is replaceable for naturalistic research by the generic phrase context of occurrence: the observer must be there in the situation to identify the phenomenon.

…in general, the naturalistic researcher will not intervene in order to produce the phenomenon to be observed" (Kemmis, 1980: 111)

However:

“The interventions of naturalistic research go beyond the theory-and value-ladenness of observation, however ...observation also entails such interventions as interviewing, recording and participation (which may amount to manipulation of conditions within the situation), let alone data analysis, interpretation, and selection of participants to observe or interview.” (Kemmis, 1980: 109)

Kemmis, S. (1980). The Imagination of the Case and the Invention of the Study. In H. Simons (Ed.), Towards a Science of the Singular: Essays about Case Study in Educational Research and Evaluation (pp. 96-142). Norwich: Centre for Applied Research in Education, University of East Anglia.

Case study is a methodology that is normally considered as naturalistic.

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