UV9322 – Video-based observations of caretaker-child dyads
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Relationships are considered the “active ingredients” of the environment’s influence on healthy development. The course will focus on observational methods for assessing qualities of caregiver-child relationships, including parent-child, caregiver-child, and teacher-child interactions. The primary focus will be upon observation skills addressing caregiver-child relationships in early childhood, but the course will also include measurement issues relevant to the infancy period, middle childhood, and adolescence. Observational global rating scales that are widely used in a growing body of research to measure individual differences in caregiving sensitivity will be introduced and described. Theory underlying the development of the observational rating scales will be discussed. Training in the use of the rating scales will be provided through the use of video clips illustrating variations in mother-child and father-child interactions. Students will practice applying the global rating scales to videotaped interactions, and extensive feedback on the use of the scales will be provided in the process of acquiring the skills of a reliable rater of parent-child interactions. Professor Owen will use videos from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, the Dallas Preschool Readiness Project, and the adoption study of Professor Monica Dalen.
Learning outcome
The course will qualify for certification to use the caregiver-child interaction global ratings scales.
Admission
Ph.d.-students at The Faculty of Education will be given priority, but it is also possible for other Ph.d.-students to apply.
Ph.d.-students from the University of Oslo apply through Studentweb
Others apply through this application form
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Ph.d.-students at The Faculty of Education will be given priority, but it is also possible for other Ph.d.-students to apply.
Teaching
This is an intensive course over two days, each with 6 hours of lectures, totaling 12 hours. Attendance is mandatory (80%).
Examination
To obtain 3 study points the students should submit two protocols from video-taped interaction using global ratings scales (Owen et a., 2010). The protocol should include ratings score (scores of each dimensions and global score), interpretation of the quality in interactions and a discussion on how to improve the interaction.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.