Final answer:
In observational research, the researcher makes no predictions and does not control variables. This research strategy is characterized by the recording of behavior or conditions as they naturally occur without intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Research Methods
In observational research, a researcher makes no prediction and does not try to control any of the variables. This type of research is a form of nonexperimental scientific investigation in which the researcher measures characteristics in a sample but does not attempt to manipulate or control variables of interest. Specifically, it is an observational study type of research where the observer records behavior in its natural environment, often without the participants being aware that they are being studied to avoid the Hawthorne effect—when study subjects behave differently because they are aware of being observed. Unlike correlational research, which looks for relationships between variables, or experimental research, which involves the manipulation and control of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships, observational research focuses merely on watching and recording events as they naturally unfold.
Example: Observational studies are suitable when it's neither possible nor ethical to conduct experiments. For instance, researchers may use this method to observe the impact of existing dietary habits on health outcomes without intervening in the participants' diet. Such observational data can reveal trends and patterns but cannot definitively establish causal links between variables.