Observational studies are a type of research method that involves a researcher observing and recording data without intervening or manipulating variables. This type of study is often used in social sciences, psychology, and health research to gather information about behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes in natural settings. Observational studies can be conducted in a variety of ways, including participant observation, naturalistic observation, and structured observation. These studies are valuable for exploring relationships between variables, generating hypotheses for further research, and observing behavior in real-world contexts. However, they are also subject to bias and limitations, such as observer bias and the inability to establish causality.