Observational Measurement of Behavior
Published on 16. February 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-8261-3797-5 (ISBN)
Description
Yoder and Symons bring decades of work to bear and it shows....[The book is] presented with broad scholarship and conceptual depth.
??Roger Bakeman, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Georgia State University
This outstanding volume transcends the typical treatment of behavior observation methods in introductory research texts. Yoder and Symons articulate a set of measurement principles that serve as the foundation for behavior observation as a scientific tool.
??William E. MacLean Jr., PhD
Executive Director
Wyoming Institute for Disabilities University of Wyoming
This comprehensive textbook introduces graduate students to the competent conduct of observational research methods and measurement. The unique approach of this book is that the chapters delineate not only the techniques and mechanics of observational methods, but also the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of these methods.
The observational methods presented can be used for both single-subject and group-design perspectives, showing students how and when to use both methodologies. In addition, the authors provide many practical exercises within chapters as well as electronic media files of a sample observation session to code with multiple behavior sampling methods.
Key topics:
Improving measurement of generalized characteristics through direct observation and the generalizability theory
Developing coding schemes and designing or adapting coding manuals
Determining sampling methods and metrics for observational variables
Training observers and assessing their agreement
Performing sequential analysis on observational data
Assessing the validity of observational variables
??Roger Bakeman, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Georgia State University
This outstanding volume transcends the typical treatment of behavior observation methods in introductory research texts. Yoder and Symons articulate a set of measurement principles that serve as the foundation for behavior observation as a scientific tool.
??William E. MacLean Jr., PhD
Executive Director
Wyoming Institute for Disabilities University of Wyoming
This comprehensive textbook introduces graduate students to the competent conduct of observational research methods and measurement. The unique approach of this book is that the chapters delineate not only the techniques and mechanics of observational methods, but also the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of these methods.
The observational methods presented can be used for both single-subject and group-design perspectives, showing students how and when to use both methodologies. In addition, the authors provide many practical exercises within chapters as well as electronic media files of a sample observation session to code with multiple behavior sampling methods.
Key topics:
Improving measurement of generalized characteristics through direct observation and the generalizability theory
Developing coding schemes and designing or adapting coding manuals
Determining sampling methods and metrics for observational variables
Training observers and assessing their agreement
Performing sequential analysis on observational data
Assessing the validity of observational variables
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
10 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
368 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8261-3797-5 (9780826137975)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Paul Yoder, PhD is a Professor in Vanderbilt University's Department of Special Education.
Frank Symons, PhD is Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He is the current director of the Observational Methods Lab at University of Minnesota.
Frank Symons, PhD is Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He is the current director of the Observational Methods Lab at University of Minnesota.
Content
1. Introduction and Measurement Context
2. Improving measurement of generalized characteristics through direct observation and Generalizability theory
3. Designing or adapting coding manuals
4. Sampling methods
5. Common metrics of observational variables
6. Introduction of sequential analysis
7. Analyzing research questions involving sequential associations
8. Observer Training, Observer Drift Checks, and Discrepancy Discussions
9. Interobserver Agreement and Reliability of Observational Variables
10. Validation of observational variables
11. Glossary
2. Improving measurement of generalized characteristics through direct observation and Generalizability theory
3. Designing or adapting coding manuals
4. Sampling methods
5. Common metrics of observational variables
6. Introduction of sequential analysis
7. Analyzing research questions involving sequential associations
8. Observer Training, Observer Drift Checks, and Discrepancy Discussions
9. Interobserver Agreement and Reliability of Observational Variables
10. Validation of observational variables
11. Glossary