Video Analysis of Mother–Child Interactions: Does the Role of Experience Affect the Accuracy and Reliability of Clinical Observations?

Abstract

During the pre- and post-implant habilitation process, mothers of children using cochlear implants may be coached by clinicians to use appropriate communicative strategies during play according to the family's choice of communication approach. The present study compared observations made by experienced and inexperienced individuals in the analysis of one year post-implant mother–child play interactions. The study (a) explored intra-rater reliability differences in observations made by experienced clinicians versus inexperienced individuals and (b) investigated whether experienced clinicians and inexperienced individuals were able to identify communication approaches used by mothers in the pl..