What type of observation did King use by hiding in a Wendy house?

The type of observation used by King in the context of hiding in a Wendy house is classified as non-participant covert observation. In this method, the researcher observes a group or individual without their knowledge and does not take part in the activities being studied. By concealing himself in a Wendy house, King was able to gather data unobtrusively, ensuring that the subjects behaved naturally without being influenced by a researcher's presence.

This approach is particularly useful in sociology when the researcher aims to understand behaviors in a natural setting without subjects potentially altering their behavior due to awareness of being observed. Non-participant covert observation allows for greater authenticity in the data collected, as it minimizes the risk of observer effect, where individuals modify their behavior because they know they are part of a study.

In contrast, participant observations involve the researcher actively engaging in the group being studied, which would not apply in this situation due to the covert nature of the observation. Overt observations make the subjects aware of the observer, which again does not fit King's methodology. Non-observational research lacks the active engagement of observation entirely, categorically distinct from King's approach.