A conceptual and graphical method for converging multisubject behavioral observational data into a single process indicator

Typically, in observational research, each behavior of a subject is assigne d a code that represents theoretically relevant and contextually sensitive events. These discrete behavioral acts are then strung together to denote a process. With multiple interactants, the investigator has two choices: ign ore subject interdependence and analyze as if the data strings are discrete , or treat the strings as interdependent and create a summary index that re presents the combined codes across subjects. This article illustrates a met hod of combining discrete within-subjects behavioral indicators into behavi or-specific domains and then conglomerating the disparate domain strings ac ross subjects in such a way that the aggregate reflects the observed proces s. This aggregation is represented by a coordination index, expressed as ei ther interactant disparity or coherence. Also, animation and visualization methods are presented that illustrate how social processes can be modeled b y using either the coordination index or the separate domain values.