When Graham observes adolescent arguments in a mall, what type of research approach is he utilizing?

The research approach being utilized by Graham when he observes adolescent arguments in a mall is a field study. A field study involves observing subjects in their natural environment and in real-world settings, which, in this case, is the mall where adolescents typically interact with one another.

This approach is particularly valuable for gathering authentic data on behaviors and interactions because it allows the researcher to see how individuals act in their usual surroundings without the influence of a controlled laboratory setting. By observing adolescent arguments in a public space like a mall, Graham is likely to capture a more genuine representation of their social interactions, as opposed to a more artificial context that a laboratory study might provide.

Other research types, such as experimental studies, involve manipulating variables in a controlled setting to establish cause-and-effect relationships, whereas longitudinal studies track the same subjects over a long period to observe changes over time. A field study is distinct because it emphasizes direct observation in a natural context.