Determine the sample size and recruiting strategy for participants. To collect data, you will likely be using direct observation of individuals in their natural setting. When speaking of "recruiting" participants in observational research, you are not actively seeking out and initiating contact with participants. Outline the step-by-step procedures and materials for data collection. Describe the location of where you will collect your data. Will your presence be concealed from participants? If not, how will you address potential reactivity? Determine how you will be coding your data. Will you be assessing the rate or frequency of a specific behavior? Will you sample behavior during specified intervals during a session or will you record the frequency of a given behavior continuously throughout an entire session? Over how many sessions do you plan to collect data and for what duration? Will the days or times vary? What medium will you use to record the information that you are collecting (e.g., electronically, paper-and-pencil, voice recording)? Lastly, consider how you will maintain constancy of conditions (i.e., think through each step of your study, looking for those environmental elements that would introduce unwanted variables). While we may recognize the influence of environmental elements, it may not be possible to control for or eliminate alcohol-controlfor or eliminating all environmental factors may not be possible environmental factors.