Chapter Title/Book Title

Systematic Observation

Book Title

Essays in Developmental Psychology

Author(s)

Brizel Trinidad, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Lisa K. Lashley, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Charles J. Golden, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Editors

Randall Summers, Charles Golden, Lisa Lashley, & Erica Ailes

Files

Document Type

Essay

Abstract/Excerpt/Description

Excerpt

Systematic observation is the process of explicitly defining desired target behaviors and observing them using a systematic set of guidelines. Systematic observation assists in reducing or eliminating bias in experimental designs. The reduction allows for increased reliability and validity therefore, an integral part in experimental designs. This process is widely used in school, home, and clinical settings. The process allows preset rules and guidelines to be to be followed prior to beginning the experiment. The rules and guidelines maintain the design within reasonable boundaries. All the preset rules are inferred prior to starting the experiment.

Keywords

bias, desired target behaviors, diagnostic information, experimental designs, reliability and validity, research methods, systematic observation

Publication Date

2020

Disciplines

Psychology

Comments

This is one in a collection of essays as part of a project that began as an encyclopedia of developmental psychology coordinated by Dr. Randall Summers. However, for unforeseen reasons, the publisher was no longer in a position to publish the encyclopedia. This project was undertaken so that thousands of hours of work by psychologists would not go wasted. Enjoy these essays and feel free to cite them using the proper format.

Submit suggestions for corrections and topics to goldench@nova.edu.

NSUWorks Citation

Trinidad, B., Lashley, L. K., Golden, C. J. (2020). Systematic Observation. Essays in Developmental Psychology.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facbooks/734