Question

In a study where the researchers placed recording devices in the homes of alcoholics and nonalcoholics and then analyzed their communication patterns, this is an example of ______ research.

Answer 1

The answer is naturalistic observation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Naturalistic observation is a method that involves observing subjects in a "natural" environment. This is done in order to strengthen the validity of an experiment, as lab research may alter the real outcomes of the study (subjects may act in different ways in lab conditions). Another one of its advantages is that it's usually less expensive than other approaches.