What role does the observer play in a narrative recording?

In narrative recording, the observer's primary role is to document behavior through detailed descriptions of what they see and hear. This method captures the context and nuances of the participant's actions, interactions, and the environment in which they occur, allowing for a rich understanding of behaviors over time. By writing behavior descriptions, the observer helps to create a comprehensive picture that can be analyzed later for trends, patterns, or specific incidents of interest.

This approach emphasizes objective observation, focusing on accurately recording events without intervening or influencing the participant's behavior. Collecting information in this manner provides valuable insights that suit the needs of behavior analysis, such as identifying reinforcing or punishing elements within the environment and understanding the function of certain behaviors.