1. Behavioral Observation Research
James M. Harper
September 26, 2014
Family Studies Center

2. Why would I want to do Behavioral Observation Research?
Actual behavior often predicts differently than self-report
May give leverage to get into better journals
May be a better fit to your research question

3. Decision Tree(Wampler & Harper, 2014)

4. Types of Coding Systems
Micro (time, thought phrases, talk turns)
Macro (watch entire taped segment and then rate)
Mutually Exclusive?
Sequential behavior or simultaneous behavior
Verbal
Non-verbal

5. Types of Tasks High Conflict
Activity (tinker toy, build something, cook recipe together)
Discussion based
Event based

6. Flourishing Families Tasks
1st Wave
Marital 25 min. discussion
Parent-child 15 min. discussion
Family (parents and target child) 15 min. problem solving
2nd Wave
Marital: 3 min. discussion of what to teach child
5 min. Teach child something he/she doesn’t know
Parent-child 9 min. discussion
15 min. family problem solving

7. Wave 3
Marital 10 min. discussion of how economic downturn affected them
Marital 9 minute discussion about target child
Parent-child 9 min. discussion
5 min. family problem
Wave 4
5 min. family problem solving
Wave 5

8. Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scales (IFIRS)
Macro Coding System
Coder watches segment twice for each target person
Gives 1-9 score for each type of behavior

9. Individual Characteristic Codes

10. Dyadic Interaction Scales

11. Parenting Scales

12. Problem Solving Scales

13. Group Interaction Scales
SP Silence/Pause RQ Relationship Quality GE Group Enjoyment

14. Creating Latent Variables from Observational Codes—Examples using Flourishing Families data

19. Micro Coding
Frequencies & Ratios
Temporal Counts
Sequential

20. Conditional Probability Matrix
Antecedent
Behaviors
Consequent Behaviors W H
Initiation
Terminate
Conditional
Probabilities

21. Training Coders Manuals Behavioral Spots Criterion Coded Task
Inter-rater reliabilities
Coder Drift