ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR SCORING INTERACTION PROCESS ANALYSIS.

The article discusses alternative methods for scoring interaction process analysis. Researchers using Bales' Interaction Process Analysis categories have generally used the in-process method of scoring, i.e., direct observation and simultaneous scoring of the interaction as it proceeds. Though undoubtedly the most economical method in terms of time and cost per hour of interaction scored, the in-process method requires considerable training of observers before sufficient speed in scoring can be developed. The observer cannot score the interaction at a leisurely rate but must keep pace with it as it occurs. Because of the fact that the observer has an opportunity to examine the transcription of the interaction at his own pace freed of the pressure of time and also restricts his attention to one actor in the preliminary observation thus increasing the chance of observing non-verbal gestures, it was expected that the protocol method would yield substantially more scores. Judgment of whether a greater number of scores is in fact derived when scoring tape recordings and whether these differences are reliable and significant should be reserved, however, until controlled comparisons of observers who are equally well-trained in the use of Bales' categories can be made.