creators_name: Nieminen, Timo A.
creators_name: Choi, Serene Hyun-Jin
creators_name: Bahr, Mark
creators_name: Bahr, Nan
type: confpaper
datestamp: 2004-11-29
lastmod: 2011-03-11 08:55:44
metadata_visibility: show
title: Improving behaviour classification consistency: a technique from biological taxonomy
ispublished: pub
subjects: behav-anal
full_text_status: public
keywords: classification; behaviour analysis; binary keys
abstract: Quantitative behaviour analysis requires the classification of behaviour to produce the basic data.  In practice, much of this work will be performed by multiple observers, and maximising inter-observer consistency is of particular importance.

Another discipline where consistency in classification is vital is biological taxonomy.  A classification tool of great utility, the binary key, is designed to simplify the classification decision process and ensure consistent identification of proper categories.

We show how this same decision-making tool - the binary key - can be used to promote consistency in the classification of behaviour.  The construction of  a binary key also ensures that the categories in which behaviour is classified are complete and non-overlapping.  We discuss the general principles of design of binary keys, and illustrate their
construction and use with a practical example from education research.
date: 2002
date_type: published
pagerange: CHO02101
refereed: TRUE
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citation:   Nieminen, Timo A. and Choi, Serene Hyun-Jin and Bahr, Mark and Bahr, Nan  (2002) Improving behaviour classification consistency: a technique from biological taxonomy.  [Conference Paper]     
document_url: http://cogprints.org/3963/1/cho02101.pdf