title: [Neighborhood Systematic Social Observation; The Case of Chile and its Perspectives for Social Work.]
abstract: The study of neighborhood characteristics and their effects on individuals has become an area of increasing attention by scholars from various disciplines in developed countries. Although there are various methods to study neighborhoods and their impact on human populations, one of the most used is the Systematic Social Observation -Observación Sistemática de Vecindarios (OSV), in Spanish-because it allows the collection of information about various features of the physical, social, environmental and economic characteristics of neighborhoods. The purpose of this article is to (i) briefly present some research on neighborhood effects influential in the U.S., ii) describe how they Systematic Social Observation was designed and implemented in the city of Santiago, Chile, iii) discuss some facilitators and obstacles of the implementation process and, finally iv) list possible contributions and limitations this approach would offer the profession of social work in Chile.
authors.affiliation: Profesor Escuela de Trabajo Social, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile MSW, estudiante del "Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Sociology, School of Social Work, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Guillermo E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Sanhueza
authors.affiliation: Professor and Associate Dean for Research School of Social Work, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Delva
authors.affiliation: PhD student in Education, School of Education, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Fernando H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor School of Social Work, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grogan-Kaylor
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bares
authors.affiliation: Profesor Asistente Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castillo
keywords: Chile; Neighborhood; Social Work; systematic assessment