Final answer:
The 'people meter' by Nielsen Media Research is an example of observational research, which is a passive method of data collection focused on recording television viewing patterns for market research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "people meter" used by Nielsen Media Research is an observational research technique. This method involves the unobtrusive monitoring of television viewing habits to gather data. It's part of Nielsen's scientific market research, aimed at determining the popularity of different television programs. Unlike other forms of gathering data, such as surveys or interviews, the people meter passively collects information without direct interaction with the individuals being studied, thus falling under the category of observational research.
The observational data collected contributes to the Nielsen Ratings, which are utilized to assess television program viewership and, subsequently, influence advertising and marketing strategies. This method of data gathering is distinct from others, such as experimental research, which manipulates variables to measure effects; survey research, which asks participants to provide information directly through questionnaires or interviews; and secondary data analysis, which involves studying existing data that were collected for other research purposes.