Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Keywords

bias reduction, data collection, experimental design, observational methods, systematic observation

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology | Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Abstract

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.

Download

Share

COinS