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Development of an Observation Instrument to Assess Behavior

The Vernon-Nay Category Instrument was developed as the result of an experimental project in an inner-city school. The effects of the reorganization of the administration of the school and the total staff participation in a workshop about human relations and communications were evaluated by the change of behavior of fifth- and sixth grade students in the classroom. The Flanders’ Interaction Analysis (assesses teacher-student verbal behavior) would measure change that occurred: however, the Vernon teachers wanted an assessment instrument that could, also, be used in the future, without professional assistance. The F.I.A. observation system was too complex for the staff’s, unassisted, use (statistical interpretation is based on the ratios of direct to indirect verbal teacher behavior, and student responses); many simpler (verbal and non-verbal) observation instruments were examined. No instrument was found to be appropriate for this particular situation. A new, non-verbal, instrument was designed that fit the needs of this staff and could also be used in adult-child situations other than the classroom.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:pdx.edu/oai:pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu:open_access_etds-3287
Date01 January 1975
CreatorsNay, Scott Marshall
PublisherPDXScholar
Source SetsPortland State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceDissertations and Theses

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