Final answer:
Descriptive research records behavior in natural environments and is good for observing natural behavior patterns without establishing cause and effect. It is distinct from experimental research which involves hypothesis testing under controlled conditions. Ethnographic research is a type of descriptive research focused on social settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of research that records behavior in a natural environment, describes but does not explain behavior, and can be revealing is known as Descriptive research. This method is optimal for observing how people think and behave within their natural setting. It aims to understand patterns of behavior and cultural practices rather than determining causal relationships. Unlike experimental research which tests a hypothesis under controlled conditions, descriptive research simply observes and records. Ethnographic research is a specific form of descriptive research where the researcher immerses themselves in the social setting and observes the behavior of individuals in that context.
Field researchers using this approach adopt an interpretive framework, meaning they observe or interact without conducting hypothesis testing. This type of approach, while it generates a lot of information, does not readily allow for generalization of results to a larger population due to often small sample sizes. Nonetheless, it can be profoundly insightful for understanding specific cultural practices and social behaviors in their authentic state.