Abstract
ATaxono my for observational designs. Four basic criteria are proposed in order to classify the observational designs. 1) Time criterion, relative to the moment in wh i ch the behavior is regi stered. This criterion would oscillate between two poles: synch ronous and diach ro n i c. 2) Number of subjects observe d, va rying from one to seve ral subjects. 3) Relationships between the units, with three dimensions: Independence, dependence, and interdependence. 4) Level of the answer, related to the existence of one or more behavior modalities. These basic criteria most be complemented with other secondary criteria, such as: a) instruments used in the observation, b) sample techniques, and c) behavior register techniques, such as continuous or interval registers. Finally, the use of these criteria are discussed, and the applicability problems analyzed.
