Behavioral Case Formulation

Data Collection Methods

Direct observation of the client's behavior is often touted as the best method of behavioral assessment. Several entries in the volume detail possible methods of direct behavioral observation. Although this type of assessment does reduce the potential bias involved in verbal report, it is rarely used in real clinical settings with adult clients. First, for adult clients who are not intellectually compromised, direct observation is often undesirable. Second, the observer's presence may dramatically change the context of the target behavior. Third, since most behaviors occur in a variety of contexts, observation of all possible permutations is not possible. Finally, and probably most important, direct observation is prohibitively expensive and time intensive. Taken together, these disadvantages to direct observation often lead clinicians to use a number of [Page 91]alternative data collection methods, including the clinical interview, self-report questionnaires, selfmonitoring, and naturalistic video or audiotaping.

Figure 1 Scientific Method for the Scientist-Practitioner

The clinical interview, using either the client or informants, is one of the most common methods. Compared with direct behavioral observation, it is often more desirable, feasible, and cost-effective. It also has the advantage of allowing therapists to observe in-session behavior and begin establishing therapeutic rapport through mutual reinforcement. The primary disadvantage of the unstructured clinical interview is that interrater reliability tends to be quite low. Structured clinical interviews such as the functional analytic interview may increase the reliability of both therapist and client verbal behavior.

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