A device for use in studies involving multiple subjects to record observation data in an output file is provided. The invention may be embodied in a tablet type computer having a touchscreen or another form of electronic device having user input capability. The device displays a set of subject buttons for selecting a subject for which observation data will be recorded, a corresponding set of start time buttons to track and display the elapsed time for the corresponding subject, and a set of observation buttons corresponding to pre-defined observation data established by the user. Additional features may include, among other features, a reminder function for setting user-defined alarms, a time-stamped note function, and an initiation function for items such as time synchronization, describing subjects, and describing environmental or exposure details for the study to be performed.