Case
Abstract
To demonstrate the logistical and ethical challenges that confront observational researchers, this case study presents the background, design, piloting and fieldwork stages of an observational project that dealt with a large number of variables in different types of sites with a high degree of inter-observer reliability required. The project also required matching observational and questionnaire data, so techniques for data matching are also described. The ethical challenges of conducting observational research in natural settings are discussed.