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. 2023 Jan 27:14:1020742.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1020742. eCollection 2023.

Neighborhood conditions in a Swedish context-Two studies of reliability and validity of virtual systematic social observation using Google Street View

Ingela Clausén Gull  1 , Sabina Kapetanovic  1   2 , Åsa Norman  3 , Laura Ferrer-Wreder  1 , Tina M Olsson  4   5 , Lilianne Eninger  1
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Neighborhood conditions in a Swedish context-Two studies of reliability and validity of virtual systematic social observation using Google Street View

Ingela Clausén Gull et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of these studies was to investigate the reliability and validity of virtual systematic social observation (virtual SSO) using Google Street View in a Swedish neighborhood context.

Methods: This was accomplished in two studies. Study 1 focused on interrater reliability and construct validity, comparing ratings conducted in-person to those done using Google Street View, across 24 study sites within four postal code areas. Study 2 focused on criterion validity of virtual SSO in terms of neighborhoods with low versus high income levels, including 133 study sites within 22 postal code areas in a large Swedish city. In both studies, assessment of the neighborhood context was conducted at each study site, using a protocol adapted to a Swedish context.

Results: Scales for Physical Decay, Neighborhood Dangerousness, and Physical Disorder were found to be reliable, with adequate interrater reliability, high consistency across methods, and high internal consistency. In Study 2, significantly higher levels of observed Physical Decay, Neighborhood Dangerousness, and signs of garbage or litter were observed in postal codes areas (site data was aggregated to postal code level) with lower as compared to higher income levels.

Discussion: We concluded that the scales within the virtual SSO with Google Street View protocol that were developed in this series of studies represents a reliable and valid measure of several key neighborhood contextual features. Implications for understanding the complex person-context interactions central to many theories of positive development among youth were discussed in relation to the study findings.

Keywords: Google street view; child and youth development; contextual resources; developmental assets; neighborhoods; observational method; systematic social observation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examples of Swedish neighborhoods (not part of the present study), similar to what can be seen in GSV. (A) Single-family houses. Photo: Ingela Clausén Gull. (B) Multi-family housing. Photo: Sabina Kapetanovic.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Postal Code Areas (yellow lines) and Study Sites (red circles). Map data: Google Earth, ©2020 Landsat/Copernicus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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