What is one advantage of using observational design in research?

One advantage of using observational design in research is that it allows for the study of variables that are unethical to manipulate. This is particularly important in psychology and social sciences, where certain behaviors, conditions, or phenomena cannot ethically be induced or controlled. For example, a researcher may want to observe the effects of stress on children in high-conflict family situations. It would be unethical to create such an environment purely for the sake of research, so an observational design offers a means to analyze these situations without any unethical intervention. This approach helps gather valuable insights into real-world behaviors and conditions that might not be possible or ethical to replicate through experimental manipulation.