Sequential Analysis and Observational Methods for the Behavioral Sciences


Book Description

Behavioral scientists – including those in psychology, infant and child development, education, animal behavior, marketing and usability studies – use many methods to measure behavior. Systematic observation is used to study relatively natural, spontaneous behavior as it unfolds sequentially in time. This book emphasizes digital means to record and code such behavior; while observational methods do not require them, they work better with them. Key topics include devising coding schemes, training observers and assessing reliability, as well as recording, representing and analyzing observational data. In clear and straightforward language, this book provides a thorough grounding in observational methods along with considerable practical advice. It describes standard conventions for sequential data and details how to perform sequential analysis with a computer program developed by the authors. The book is rich with examples of coding schemes and different approaches to sequential analysis, including both statistical and graphical means.







Observing Interaction


Book Description

Mothers and infants exchanging gleeful vocalizations, married couples discussing their problems, children playing, birds courting and monkeys fighting have this in common: their interactions with others unfold over time. Almost anyone who is interested can observe and describe such phenomena. But usually scientists demand more. They want observations that are replicable and amenable to scientific analysis, while still faithful to the dynamics of the phenomena studied. This book provides a straightforward introduction to scientific methods for observing social behavior. Because of the importance of time in the dynamics of social interaction, sequential approaches to analyzing and understanding social behavior are emphasized. An advanced knowledge of statistical analysis is not required. Instead, the authors present fundamental concepts and offer practical advice.




Observational Measurement of Behavior


Book Description

"Yoder and Symons bring decades of work to bear and it shows....[The book is] presented with broad scholarship and conceptual depth." óRoger 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." óWilliam 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




Behavior and Sequential Analyses


Book Description

Behavior and sequential Analyses provides a step-by-step approach to the principles and practices of direct observation and behaviour analysis research and evaluation procedures. Emphasis is on computer-facilitated methods designed to collect and analyze both the multiple characteristics of behaviour and events of interest and the time-based or sequential characteristics of behaviour and event relationships. Particularly designed for highly interactive applied settings, the methods and procedures outlined are presented in an introductory manner that should, nonetheless, still prove relevant to advanced students and seasoned researchers across the social and behavioural sciences and education. Behavior and sequential Analyses includes background and philosophy of applied behaviour analysis methodology, procedures for observation system construction and recommendations for handling reliability and treatment fidelity issues, a variety of data recording methods and research design types, graph preparation and visual and statistical discrete and sequential data analysis procedures, and an overview of recommended research, evaluation, and instructional applications for education, psychol




Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis


Book Description

This very practical, how-to text provides the beginning researcher with the basics of applied behavior analysis research methods. In 10 logical steps, this text covers all of the elements of single-subject research design and it provides practical information for designing, implementing, and evaluating studies. Using a pocketbook format, the authors provide novice researcher with a "steps-for-success" approach that is brief, to-the-point, and clearly delineated.




Analyzing Interaction


Book Description

Analyzing Interaction provides the practical underpinning and tools to carry out the sorts of sequential analyses essential to social psychology.




The Cambridge Handbook of Group Interaction Analysis


Book Description

This Handbook provides a compendium of research methods that are essential for studying interaction and communication across the behavioral sciences. Focusing on coding of verbal and nonverbal behavior and interaction, the Handbook is organized into five parts. Part I provides an introduction and historic overview of the field. Part II presents areas in which interaction analysis is used, such as relationship research, group research, and nonverbal research. Part III focuses on development, validation, and concrete application of interaction coding schemes. Part IV presents relevant data analysis methods and statistics. Part V contains systematic descriptions of established and novel coding schemes, which allows quick comparison across instruments. Researchers can apply this methodology to their own interaction data and learn how to evaluate and select coding schemes and conduct interaction analysis. This is an essential reference for all who study communication in teams and groups.




Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences


Book Description

Statistical Power Analysis is a nontechnical guide to power analysis in research planning that provides users of applied statistics with the tools they need for more effective analysis. The Second Edition includes: * a chapter covering power analysis in set correlation and multivariate methods; * a chapter considering effect size, psychometric reliability, and the efficacy of "qualifying" dependent variables and; * expanded power and sample size tables for multiple regression/correlation.




Encyclopedia of Research Design


Book Description

"Comprising more than 500 entries, the Encyclopedia of Research Design explains how to make decisions about research design, undertake research projects in an ethical manner, interpret and draw valid inferences from data, and evaluate experiment design strategies and results. Two additional features carry this encyclopedia far above other works in the field: bibliographic entries devoted to significant articles in the history of research design and reviews of contemporary tools, such as software and statistical procedures, used to analyze results. It covers the spectrum of research design strategies, from material presented in introductory classes to topics necessary in graduate research; it addresses cross- and multidisciplinary research needs, with many examples drawn from the social and behavioral sciences, neurosciences, and biomedical and life sciences; it provides summaries of advantages and disadvantages of often-used strategies; and it uses hundreds of sample tables, figures, and equations based on real-life cases."--Publisher's description.