In the next preview assignment and in the next class, you will need to be able to distinguish observational studies from experimental studies. Observational Studies In an observational study, researchers observe behaviors or measure something. In this type of study, researchers gather data in order to make inferences about the study participants; there is no treatment given to different groups of participants. The following are examples of observational studies. You will be asked to analyze the characteristics of these studies. 1) Study #1: Researchers recorded the blood pressure readings of community members at a health fair on campus. They found that most community members had normal blood pressure readings. Part A: Who are the study participants in Study #1? Part B: What is the variable in Study #1? Is this variable a quantitative variable or a categorical variable? Part C: Did the researchers apply a treatment in Study #1? If so, describe the treatment