Of all the major methods used in psychological research, there are two which seem to stand out in usefulness and in being effective. Naturalistic observation allows one to observe behavior in its natural setting. I picture Jacques Cousteau observing the various types of marine life in their natural habitat. The proof that this method yields favorable results is seen clearly within the fact that it’s exponentially more interesting to observe a prostitute under a bridge than in the post office.
Another research method which has proven itself timeless is a good old fashioned experiment. When Einstein used a solar eclipse to successfully prove his theory of relativity, he changed the world in an instant. Many incredible innovations have come into existence due to the brave souls who were willing to blindly experiment. Things like the medicinal effects of Freon, or the reported increased pleasure of autoerotic asphyxiation, could never have been realized without experimentation.
I suppose if I had to choose a research method most interesting to me, it would be experiments within a naturalistic setting. An example of this would be the guy who put himself within the territory of lions. Camera in hand, he systematically moved closer and closer to the lion’s den, observing their reaction to the intrusion the whole way. Or the ingenious and persistent police officers who found, through vigorous trial and error, that they could purchase crack undercover by wearing clown costumes and driving an ice cream truck.
