Institute for Social & Behavioral Research Institute for Social & Behavioral Research

Observational Assessment Jan Melby Observation Unit Director

Information types* Facts Behaviors* Thoughts Feelings *Observers specialize in documenting behaviors

Observation Unit mission statement Trained observers, working across time, multiple projects, and varied populations, apply standardized rating scales to structured video-recorded interactions in order to provide reliable and valid assessments of human behavior for use in understanding family processes and interpersonal relationships.

Observation staff requirements Confidentiality Human subjects’ training Objectivity Learn & apply observational system Attention to detail Code at criterion level Respect for research process

Types of observers Family Interaction Analysts –Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales Child Behavior Coders –Home Temperament Assessment Battery Body Image Raters –Body Mass Index

Observational task types & examples Discussion-based tasks Parent-child discussion Family problem-solving Couple discussion Activity-based tasks PuzzleClean-up Temperament tasks Perfect circles Snack delay Strange mask

Questions observers help answer What did people say? What did people do? What happened after someone spoke? How were people physically oriented? How did people respond verbally to each other? What were people like “together”? What were the patterns of interaction?

Role of trained observers Document behavior Identify interaction processes Identify “what” occurred Record & categorize “evidence” Determine thoughts Measure feelings Identify “why” a behavior occurred Draw inferences from “evidence” CanCannot

Value of observational data Outsider perspective Standard frame of reference Assess individual behaviors & family interaction processes Attend to multiple cues (verbal, vocal, nonverbal) Numerous was to evaluate data

Process of observational coding View interaction Take notes Evaluate “evidence” Record scores

Use of observer ratings in data analysis n Single behavior n Composite scale n Construct indicator n Predictor variable n Moderator / mediator variable n Outcome variable