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Frequency Counts. The observer simply makes a mark on an observation sheet every time a particular behavior occurs. It is useful for establishing baselines for behavior that the teacher wants to modify.
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Frequency Counts • The observer simply makes a mark on an observation sheet every time a particular behavior occurs. • It is useful for establishing baselines for behavior that the teacher wants to modify. • The effectiveness of the particular modification procedure is measured by whether the frequency of the behavior after the procedure is less than or grater than the baseline frequency (less than or greater than, depending on whether an undesirable behavior is to be reduced or increased).
Checklists and Rating Scales • A checklist is any record that denotes the presence or absence of something (shipping list, class attendance register). • When observing children, checklists are used to record the occurrence of specific behaviors in a given context. Rating Scales Rating scales are observation tools that indicate the degree to which a person posses a certain behavior (each behavior is rated on a continuum). The observer must make a judgment about where on the scale the child’s behavior lies. (e.g., likert scale)
Rating Scales Conti… • Work best where particular degrees of behavior are well defined or well understood by the observer, and where there is a distinct difference in the behavior at the various points on the scale. • Useful in diagnosing a child on several behavior at the same time. • Five intervals are used so that there is a middle (neutral) position, and a positive and negative intervals on either side of it.
Numerical Scale • Attention Span 1-Rarely finishes task, moves rapidly from one to another 2-Usually needs encouragement to stay on task until complete 3-Can usually remain with task appropriate to age level until it is finished 4-Can stay with a chosen activity for very long periods, even returning next day. • Curiosity 1-Shows little or no interest in anything 2-Can be intrigued by really exciting things but often uninterested. 3-Actively explores any new things in the room 4Interested in new ideas, words, and relationships as well as things
Semantic Differential (Osgood Scale) • Uses a 7-point range with adjectives of opposite (bipolar) meanings at either end.
Rating Scale Error • Contrary to other types of observation, this tool calls for the observer to make an on-the-spot Judgment rather that an objective description (prior knowledge of the child may factor in) - do one trait at a time. • Advantages: • They are easy to design and are less time consuming to use • Allows the observation of a large number of traits at one time • Measures difficult to quantify traits –shyness, for example • They can be used by non specialist observers • easy to score and quantify than other methods.
Rating Scales Conti.. • Disadvantages • Rating scales use a closed method. They examine specified traits and may overlook other important behavior • Difficult to differentiate between each point in the scale • It is difficult to eliminate against observer bias when judgments must be made quickly.
Checklists • Checklists are lists of behavior arranged in a logical manner order (observer indicates presence or absence of the trait) • Useful for types of behavior that can be easily and clearly identified (focuses attention-we tend to see what we look for) • A survey or inventory of a situation can be done more efficiently with a checklist than with al most with any other observation tool. • Information from narratives can be transferred to checklists to make interpretation easier.
Checklist Items • Short, descriptive, understandable • Parallel in construction word order; verb tense) • Objective and nonjudgmental • Positive in nature • Not repeated elsewhere in checklist • Representative of behavior, not all inclusive
Advantages • They are easy, quick and efficient to use. • The nonspecialist observer can use them with ease. • They can be used in the presence of the child or later from remembered behavior or recorded narrative observation. • Several observers can gather the same information to check for reliability. • These checklists help to focus observation on many behaviors at one time. • They are especially useful for curriculum planning for individuals
Disadvantages • They are closed; thus they may miss behaviors of importance. • The are limited to presence or absence of behavior • They lack information on quality of behavior and a description.
