Developing and modifying behavioral coding schemes in pediatric psychology: a practical guide

Jill MacLaren Chorney¹, C Meghan McMurtry², Christine T Chambers³, Roger Bakeman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Jill.chorney@iwk.nshealth.ca.
² Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University.
³ Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University.

PMID: 25416837
PMCID: PMC4288308
DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu099

Developing and modifying behavioral coding schemes in pediatric psychology: a practical guide

Jill MacLaren Chorney et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2015 Jan-Feb.

. 2015 Jan-Feb;40(1):154-64.

doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu099. Epub 2014 Nov 21.

Authors

Jill MacLaren Chorney¹, C Meghan McMurtry², Christine T Chambers³, Roger Bakeman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Jill.chorney@iwk.nshealth.ca.
² Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University.
³ Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, IWK Health Centre, Departments of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychology, Guelph University, Children's Health Research Institute, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, and Department of Psychology, Georgia State University.

PMID: 25416837
PMCID: PMC4288308
DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu099

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a concise and practical guide to the development, modification, and use of behavioral coding schemes for observational data in pediatric psychology.

Methods: This article provides a review of relevant literature and experience in developing and refining behavioral coding schemes.

Results: A step-by-step guide to developing and/or modifying behavioral coding schemes is provided. Major steps include refining a research question, developing or refining the coding manual, piloting and refining the coding manual, and implementing the coding scheme. Major tasks within each step are discussed, and pediatric psychology examples are provided throughout.

Conclusions: Behavioral coding can be a complex and time-intensive process, but the approach is invaluable in allowing researchers to address clinically relevant research questions in ways that would not otherwise be possible.

Keywords: behavioral coding; observational data; research methods.

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Figures

**Figure 1.**
Instantaneous sampling, interval sampling, and continuous recording.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

1. Adamson L B, Bakeman R, Deckner D F, Nelson P B. From interactions to conversations: The development of joint engagement during early childhood. Child Development. 2014;85:941–955. - PMC - PubMed
1. Bakeman R, Gottman J M. Observing interaction: An introduction to sequential analysis. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 1997.
1. Bakeman R, Quera V. Sequential analysis and observational methods for the behavioral sciences. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 2011.
1. Banerjee M, Capozzoli M, McSweeney L, Sinha D. Beyond kappa: A review of interrater agreement measures. Canadian Journal of Statistics. 1999;27:3–23.
1. Bell D C, Bell L G. Micro and macro measurement of family systems concepts. Journal of Family Psychology. 1989;3:137–157.

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Developing and modifying behavioral coding schemes in pediatric psychology: a practical guide

Affiliations

Developing and modifying behavioral coding schemes in pediatric psychology: a practical guide

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Figures

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Other Literature Sources

Medical