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Direct observation6/19/2023 ![]() Compared with elicited behavior, spontaneous behavior has the advantage of occurring in a natural context and natural situation, so it is not influenced by extraneous variables such as a non-natural context or social desirability based on researchers' expectations. New technologies have made it possible to record spontaneous behavior-that is, behavior that is not elicited by a researcher but forms part of the subject's behavioral repertoire in his or her natural context (see e.g., Mehl et al., 2001). New methodologies have been proposed for the within-person study of real-time biopsychosocial aspects in their natural settings ( Bolger et al., 2003 Conner and Lehman, 2013 Reis, 2013 Portell et al., 2015b, c). Psychological science has shown a growing interest in the study of everyday life. The data collection and quality control procedures fully meet the requirement of flexibility and provide new perspectives on data integration in the study of biopsychosocial aspects in everyday contexts. ![]() The proposed method is framed within a specific mixed methods approach that involves collecting qualitative data and subsequently transforming these into matrices of codes (not frequencies) for quantitative analysis to detect underlying structures and behavioral patterns. We provide examples of how an indirect observation study can produce data for quantitative analysis and also describe the different software tools available for the various stages of the process. The quality control stage is essential to ensure that the code matrices generated from the qualitative data are reliable. We provide guidelines on study dimensions, text segmentation criteria, ad hoc observation instruments, data quality controls, and coding and preparation of text for quantitative analysis. ![]() In this paper, we present a methodological framework detailing the steps and decisions required to quantitatively analyze a set of data that was originally qualitative. However, this analysis requires a structured system that enables researchers to analyze varying forms and sources of information objectively. Narratives are an excellent vehicle for studying everyday life, and quantitization is proposed as a means of integrating qualitative and quantitative elements. All these materials constitute an extremely rich source of information for studying everyday life, and they are continuously growing with the burgeoning of new technologies for data recording, dissemination, and storage. It may also feature seemingly unobtrusive objects that can provide relevant insights into daily routines. It largely involves analyzing textual material generated either indirectly from transcriptions of audio recordings of verbal behavior in natural settings (e.g., conversation, group discussions) or directly from narratives (e.g., letters of complaint, tweets, forum posts). Indirect observation is a recent concept in systematic observation. 4Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.3Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.2Faculty of Psychology, Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.1Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.Teresa Anguera 1 *, Mariona Portell 2, Salvador Chacón-Moscoso 3,4 and Susana Sanduvete-Chaves 3
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