Sequential Analysis: A Guide for Behavioral Researchers

Sequential Analysis aims to detect the recurring sequential patterns in a stream of coding categories describing social interaction. These techniques can be employed to study the repertoires of individuals and of dyads and groups. This book is a sequel to Bakeman and Gottman's Observing Interaction: An Introduction to Sequential Analysis (CUP, 1986). It constitutes the first integrated presentation of the major methods of sequential analysis. Gottman and Roy review historical approaches such as stationarity, order, homogeneity, pooling data across subjects, and autocorrelation in inferring cross-correlation. The integrated application of techniques is also discussed. Addressing the behavioral scientist, the authors provide many examples and illustrate everyday computations. They also offer guides to existing computer programs.