Which of the following is a strength of observational research?

The chosen answer highlights a key strength of observational research: participant behavior is less likely to be affected. In an observational study, participants often do not know they are being observed, or they are observed in their natural settings without interference. This minimizes the Hawthorne effect, where individuals alter their behavior simply because they are aware they are being studied. As a result, the data gathered tends to reflect more authentic behaviors, providing valid insights into the phenomena being studied.

In contrast, other options suggest strengths that misalign with the nature of observational research. For instance, while quantitative data can be part of observational research, it is not its defining characteristic, which often includes qualitative insights as well. The mention of immediate feedback from respondents does not apply, as observational methods do not typically involve direct interaction with participants for immediate responses. Lastly, while striving for accuracy is essential, the claim that every detail is recorded accurately overstates the capacity of observational methods, as observational researchers may still face challenges in capturing every detail comprehensively. Thus, the strength of reduced bias in behavior due to the naturalistic observation setting clearly underscores option B.