What kind of data can researchers collect through observations?

Researchers can collect a variety of data through observations, particularly focusing on non-verbal indicators of feelings and interaction patterns. This method allows researchers to gather insights into how individuals express emotions and engage with one another without the influence of self-reporting biases or the limitations of structured questionnaires.

Observation involves watching behaviors, gestures, body language, and the dynamics of interactions in a natural or controlled setting. It captures the subtleties of communication that may not be articulated verbally, providing a richer understanding of social behaviors and emotional states. This type of data is essential in fields such as psychology, sociology, and education, where the nuance of human interactions is critical to understanding the subject matter.

The other options present forms of data collection that do not align with what is typically gathered through observational methods. Quantitative data tends to be numerical and is usually collected through structured experiments or surveys rather than direct observation. Self-reported feelings can be subjective and may involve biases; these are often collected through interviews or questionnaires, not purely observational techniques. Data related to measuring chemical reactions is outside the scope of social observations and pertains to scientific experiments rather than behavioral studies.