A MULTIPLE OPTION OBSERVATION SYSTEM FOR EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES - MOOSES

The purpose of this article is to outline the development of the Multi ple Option Observation System for Experimental Studies (MOOSES), a fle xible data collection package for applied behavioral research. Several data collection options are available to users of MOOSES. Event-based recording, interaction-based recording, duration recording, and inter val recording are available to the users and can be used individually or together, depending upon the research question. The collection prog ram can incorporate any of the keys on the keyboard. Function keys on the top or side are used for toggle (duration states) type data collec tion. Types of analysis include frequency and duration of discrete eve nts, frequency of general behavior states, frequency and duration of e vents within behavioral states, percent interval analysis, sequential analysis, and interobserver agreement. Data obtained from MOOSES is ea sily incorporated with other data for further statistical analysis wit h standard statistical packages or popular spreadsheet programs. Appli cations of MOOSES and its uses in social interaction research are pres ented. Comparisons with other similar systems are provided.