ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Unobtrusive measures

Unobtrusive measures are ways to gather information about something or someone without disturbing them. It's like when you want to observe a bug or a bird without scaring it away. By using unobtrusive measures, we can gather information without someone even knowing we're watching or measuring them.

For example, let's say we want to study how many people use a park. One way would be to stand at the entrance and count how many people come in. But this might make some people feel uncomfortable or alter their behavior. So instead, we could use an unobtrusive method like counting how many footsteps there are on a path leading into the park or install a traffic counter on that path. This way, we can collect the same information without bothering anyone.

Unobtrusive measures can also refer to methods used to collect data that doesn't require individuals to change their behavior or answer questions. For example, observing how people arrange their desks or the things they hang on their walls can provide insight into their personality and work habits without having to ask them directly.

Overall, unobtrusive measures help researchers gather information without disturbing people or altering their behavior, which can lead to more accurate results.