Types of Observation and their Significance
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Types of Observation and their Significance
Britney Simo
College of Professional and Continuing Studies, University of Oklahoma
26/ 03/ 2023
I certify that I have read A Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity at the University of Oklahoma,
and this paper is an original paper composed by me for this course. Except where properly cited
and attributed, it has not been copied or closely reworded from any other source and has not been
submitted as a whole, or in part, for credit in any other course at OU or any other educational
institution. It has not been created or submitted for any other purpose such as a job assignment at
my workplace or any other agency.
Types of Observation and their Significance
Behaviors and Development Best Studied via Checklists and Rating Scales
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Checklists and rating scales are useful tools for studying specific behaviors and
development that can be easily quantified and categorized. For example, when studying social
skills, rating scales can be used to assess how often a child engages in specific behaviors such as
sharing, taking turns, and following rules. Similarly, checklists can be used to assess the
developmental milestones a child has achieved, such as walking, talking, and toilet training
(Ahola & Kovacik, 2019).
Checklists and rating scales are also useful for assessing specific behaviors related to
certain developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a complex
developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Rating
scales can be used to assess the severity of symptoms related to ASD, such as repetitive
behaviors, social communication deficits, and restricted interests. These rating scales can provide
valuable information for clinicians to make a diagnosis, measure progress, and evaluate the
effectiveness of interventions.
Another area where checklists and rating scales can be useful is in assessing academic
and cognitive development. For example, rating scales can be used to assess a child's executive
function skills, such as working memory, attention, and inhibition. Similarly, checklists can be
used to assess a child's reading and math skills, which can be useful in identifying areas of
difficulty and informing interventions.
Checklists and rating scales can also be used to assess emotional and behavioral
problems, such as anxiety and depression. These tools can provide information on the severity
and frequency of symptoms, which can inform treatment planning and monitor progress over
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time. Additionally, rating scales can be useful in assessing the effectiveness of interventions,
such as therapy or medication, for these types of problems.
Overall, checklists and rating scales are useful tools for studying specific behaviors and
development that can be easily quantified and categorized. They can provide valuable
information for clinicians, researchers, and educators to inform interventions and treatment
plans, measure progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. However, it is important
to keep in mind that these tools are not meant to be used in isolation and should be used in
conjunction with other observation methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of a
behavior and development.
Types of Development that are Difficult to Assess using Rating Scales and Checklists
While checklists and rating scales are useful tools for assessing specific behaviors and
development, they may not be appropriate for assessing other types of development that are more
complex and difficult to quantify. For example, assessing cognitive development, which includes
skills such as problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking, is not easy to do through a rating
scale or checklist. While there are standardized tests available to measure cognitive development,
these tests may not capture the full extent of a child's abilities in this area. Similarly, assessing
emotional development, which includes skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, and self-
awareness, is challenging to measure using rating scales and checklists (Ahola & Kovacik,
2019). Emotions are subjective experiences, and their expression can vary widely across
different situations and contexts. Therefore, it is difficult to develop a standardized tool that can
accurately capture the nuances of emotional development.
Behaviors Appropriate for a Functional Behavior Assessment
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A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is a process that is used to understand the
underlying causes of problematic behavior. An FBA involves identifying the antecedents (events
that trigger the behavior), the behavior itself, and the consequences (the outcome of the behavior)
to determine why the behavior is occurring. The information gathered during an FBA is used to
develop an intervention plan that addresses the underlying cause of the behavior.
Behaviors that are appropriate for an FBA include those that are interfering with the
child's ability to function in their environment, such as aggression, self-injury, and non-
compliance. The FBA process can provide valuable information about the underlying causes of
the behavior, such as sensory issues, communication deficits, or anxiety, and can guide the
development of effective interventions.
Comparing and Contrasting the Types of Information Provided by Different Observation
Methods
Each observation method provides different types of information that can be used to
understand child development. For example, naturalistic observation provides a snapshot of how
a child behaves in their natural environment and can reveal patterns of behavior that may not be
apparent in other observation methods. Structured observation, on the other hand, involves
creating a controlled environment to observe specific behaviors and can provide a more detailed
picture of how a child behaves in a specific situation.
Clinical observation is a type of observation that is used in a clinical setting to diagnose
and treat developmental disorders. It involves a comprehensive assessment of a child's
developmental history, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Self-report methods, such as interviews
or questionnaires, can provide valuable information about a child's subjective experiences, such
as their feelings, thoughts, and beliefs.
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The information provided by each observation method can be used to inform
interventions and treatment plans. For example, information gathered from an FBA can guide the
development of interventions that address the underlying causes of problematic behavior.
Similarly, information gathered from naturalistic observation can be used to develop
interventions that target specific behaviors that may be interfering with a child's functioning.
Summary of the Process and Benefits of the Selected Video Observation
The selected video observation features a structured observation
of a family at Maudsley
Hospital (
Structured Observation, 2023).
The observation involves creating a controlled
environment where children engage in play activities, and their social interaction behaviors are
observed and recorded. The observation is conducted by trained professionals, who use a rating
scale to assess specific social interaction behaviors such as initiating interactions, responding to
others, and sharing toys.
The benefits of this type of observation include providing a standardized and objective
way to assess social interaction skills in children. The observation can provide valuable
information about the child's social strengths and deficits, which can guide the development of
interventions that target specific social skills. The observation can also be used to measure
progress over time, which can help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and development
plans.
Conclusion
Observation is a critical tool in understanding development, and different observation
methods provide unique insights into different aspects of behavior and development. Checklists
and rating scales are useful tools for assessing specific behaviors and development that can be
easily quantified and categorized, while clinical observation provides a comprehensive
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assessment of a developmental history and cognitive abilities. Self-report methods can provide
valuable information about subjective experiences, while naturalistic observation provides a
snapshot of how a person behaves in their natural environment. The information gathered from
each observation method can be used to inform interventions and treatment plans, which can
ultimately improve the well-being of the person involved.
References
Ahola, D., & Kovacik, A. (2019). Observing and understanding child development. Routledge.
Structured Observation. (2023). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgTpAoJEXaE
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