Final answer:
Joe is using nonparticipant observation for his study, where he observes prisoners in a counseling session from behind a shaded window without interacting with them.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joe is using nonparticipant observation as the basis for this study. In nonparticipant observation, researchers do not engage with the subjects but rather observe from a distance. This method allows researchers to study behaviors and interactions as they naturally occur without interference or influence from the observer. This contrasts with participant observation, where researchers immerse themselves within the group being studied, participating in the group’s routine activities to make observations from an insider perspective. It also differs from surveys, which collect data through a series of questions, or content analysis, which involves the study of media and documents to analyze the communication content.