Final answer:
A retrospective study is the observation method used to write about the development of a skill or ability after it has occurred, by analyzing past data to draw conclusions about historical trends.
Step-by-step explanation:
The observation method used to write about the development of a skill or ability after it has occurred is known as a retrospective study. In a retrospective study, researchers analyze data from the past to draw conclusions about historical trends and patterns. This approach is different from a case study, survey, or experiment, as it specifically looks backward in time.
Sigmund Freud's method of developing his theory of human personality, for instance, was through a case study approach where in-depth interviews were conducted over time. Whereas a retrospective study does not interact with the subjects during the time the skills or abilities were developing but rather examines existing data and records.
Examples of Observational Studies in Research
Archival research
Naturalistic observation
Interviews and surveys
Retrospective studies are crucial in fields where real-time experimentation or observation is not possible, allowing researchers to glean insights from events and behaviors that have already occurred.