Which of the following is a disadvantage of observational design?

Observational design often involves observing subjects in their natural environment without manipulating any variables. One of the inherent disadvantages of this method is the greater chance of extraneous variables affecting the results. Extraneous variables are any outside influences that can affect the dependent variable other than the independent variable being studied. Since researchers do not control the environment in observational studies, these uncontrolled variables can lead to confounding results and make it difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

This aspect of observational design highlights how it can sometimes produce findings that are less reliable or valid due to the potential influence of these extraneous factors. In contrast to some other research methods, where variables can be controlled or manipulated, observational studies rely heavily on what is seen and recorded, making them more susceptible to the influences of variables that are not being measured or considered. Therefore, while observational studies can provide valuable insights into behavior, the lack of control over extraneous variables is a significant limitation to keep in mind.