Cultural observation post
A cultural observation post was an outpost camouflaged, usually by a holographic duck blind, and employed by anthropological field teams for the purpose of observing species who have not yet discovered the ability to create faster-than-light technologies. 

Such societies are designated as pre-warp civilizations and are governed by the Prime Directive. Observation posts allow for covert observation, so as not to disturb the way of the species' life or interfere in the natural evolution of their society. 

Observation posts have been employed in numerous situations including missions on Mintaka III, Boraal II and the Ba'ku planet. (; )

See also 
Duck blind

de:Ethnologischer Beobachtungsposten
Structures
Culture