What is "focal sampling" in behavioral research?

Focal sampling is a technique that involves observing and recording the behaviors of a single individual over a specified period. This method allows researchers to obtain detailed data about that individual's behavior patterns, interactions, and contextual factors influencing their actions. By concentrating on one subject, researchers can gather comprehensive information that might be lost when observing multiple individuals simultaneously.

This focused approach is particularly useful in behavioral studies where understanding the intricacies of an individual’s behavior can provide insights into larger patterns or social structures within a species. Additionally, focal sampling can facilitate the capture of nuanced responses to environmental changes or social interactions, enabling more precise analyses of behavior than methods that spread attention across many individuals would allow.