Measuring Behavior

1
Measuring Behavior
2
Behavior

• has to be rigidly defined
• Smoking.
• Tobacco?
• cigars?
• Pipes?
• Chewing tobacco
• Inhaling?

3
Direct Observation

• behavior must be such that it can be observed and
  measured by a trained observer
• defining what is to be observed
• reliability needs to be measured
  (inter-reliability)
• define the behavior in question completely
• determine the time frame for observation
• pretest the observation process
• carry out observation

4
Self-Report

• does patient understand and is able to follow the
  instructions about recording behavior
• is behavior clearly defined
• social desirability

5
Indirect

• signs that a behavior has taken place
• weighing somebody after a diet
• serum thiocyanate from smoking
• urine tests for drugs
• expensive, intrusive
• The threat of an indirect test can improve the
  accuracy of self-report

6
Some bad examples

• Bad
• Are you an alcoholic?
• Do you smoke?
• On the average I drink
• 1-2 drinks a week
• 3-5 drinks a week
• 6-10 drinks a week

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A bad example

• If you want to avoid excess fats and calories in
  your fast food sandwich. In most cases, your best
  option is
• a quarter-pound hamburger
• a deep fried chicken patty
• a grill chicken breast
• roast beef

8
Bad example

• Do you eat according to the food pyramid?
• Yes
• No
• Dont know about it
• Food pyramid is not good

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Some good examples

• Within the past 30 days, how many days did you
  drink an alcoholic beverage such as beer, wine
  cooler, or mixed drink
• I did not drink
• 1-3 days
• 4-7 days
• 7-14 days
• 14-21 days
• 22-30 days

10
Good examples

• How often do you wear your seatbelt when driving
  in the front seat of a car?
• Always (100)
• Most of the Time (75-99)
• More Often Than Not (50-74)

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• How many servings of carbohydrate do you eat per
  day? (quantity of food served to one person based
  on a 2000 calorie diet)
• No servings
• 1-5 servings
• 6-11 servings
• 12-18 servings

12

• I have a cigarette within 10 minutes after
  getting up in the morning.
• never
• sometimes
• most of the time
• always

13

• I exercise 20 or more minutes at least 3 times a
  week (for example brisk walking, swimming,
  bicycling, aerobics)
• Never
• Sometimes
• Often
• Regularly

14

• In the past week how many days did you exercise
  20 or more minutes (for example brisk walking,
  swimming, bicycling, aerobics)?
• ___________

15

• I eat at least ___ servings of breads, cereals,
  rice, and/or pasta per day
• 5 or more
• 3-4
• 1-2
• 0

16

• On average I have ____ servings of caffeine per
  week 1 serving is about one 8oz. cup of coffee,
  1 regular sized candy bar, 1 can of soda, etc
• 14 or more
• 11-13
• 8-10
• 5-7
• 1-3
• 0

17

• I smoke ____ cigarettes per day
• 14 or more
• 11-13
• 8-10
• 5-7
• 1-3
• 0

18

• Do you use or have you used any of the following
  sports/nutritional supplements? (check all that
  apply)
• Multivitamins
• Creatine
• Glucosamine/Chondroitin
• Calcium
• HMB
• Ginko Biloba
• Caffeine (i.e. pills, coffee, soda)
• Protein powders/drinks
• Androstendione Andro
• Ephedra (i.e. Xenadrine, Metabolife)
• None
• Other (please specify)
• ____________________________