Validation of a classroom observation code for hyperactive children

Devised a classroom observation code that would identify hyperactive children reliably. A 14-category observation code was used to record the classroom behavior of 60 6-12 yr old children referred to an outpatient clinic for hyperactivity and 60 same-sex normal children. The overall mean phi coefficient for interval agreement was .76, indicating adequate interobserver reliability. Ss referred for hyperactivity had significantly higher scores than comparison Ss on 12 categories. There was greater within-S variability in the hyperactive group. Motor activity for both groups was significantly inversely related to age. The behavior frequencies during initial and later observations were not significantly different, indicating a lack of systematic observer effects on the S's behavior. However, there was overlap between the hyperactive and comparison Ss for all observation categories. Poor discrimination between the groups was therefore obtained with single-category criteria. Two-category criteria, especially the dyad interference and off task, substantially increased the code's discriminability, resulting in relatively few false positive and few false negative classifications. The code is felt to be a reliable and valid instrument for the objective quantification of classroom behavior in hyperactive children. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).