Observational Analysis of the Organization of On-Task Behavior in the Classroom Using Complementary Data Analyses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the organization of on-task behavior in the classroom. Four observational methodology techniques T-pattern detection, lag sequential analysis, trend analysis, and polar coordinate analysis were used to study the organization of on-task and off-task behavioral patterns during class time in a primary school setting. The specific objective was to detect and explore relationships between on-task behavior and different social interaction categories in relation to the actual distribution of activities in a real-life classroom setting. The study was conducted using the behavioral observation system for social interaction SOC-IS and the software programs Theme (version 6, Edu), SDIS-GSEQ (version 4.1.2), HOISAN (version 1.6), and STATGRAPHICS (version 6). We describe the results obtained for the four techniques and discuss the methodological implications of combining complementary techniques in a single study.