Comparing observational software with paper and pencil for time-sampled data: a field test of Interval Manager (INTMAN).
In this article, we describe the Interval Manager (INTMAN) software system for collecting time-sampled observational data and present a preliminary application comparing the program with a traditional paper-and-pencil method. INTMAN is a computer-assisted alternative to traditional paper-and-pencil methods for collecting fixed interval time-sampled observational data. The INTMAN data collection software runs on Pocket PC handheld computers and includes a desktop application for Microsoft Windows that is used for data analysis. Standard analysis options include modified frequencies, percent of intervals, conditional probabilities, and kappa agreement matrices and values. INTMAN and a standardized paper-and-pencil method were compared under identical conditions on five dimensions: setup time, duration of data entry, duration of interobserver agreement calculations, accuracy, and cost. Overall, the computer-assisted program was a more efficient and accurate data collection system for time-sampled data than the traditional method.
Tapp
Jon
J
Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Peabody Box 74, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. jon.tapp@vanderbilt.edu
Ticha
Renata
R
Kryzer
Erin
E
Gustafson
Meaghan
M
Gunnar
Megan R
MR
Symons
Frank J
FJ
D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002654:Child Care; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019370:Observation; D012984:Software; D014743:Videotape Recording