Interobserver agreement calculation is the process of determining the level of agreement or disagreement between two or more observers who are observing the same phenomenon. This process is commonly used in research studies that require multiple observers to assess the same data or behavior.
The interobserver agreement calculation is an important process in research studies that require multiple observers. It helps in determining the reliability and validity of the data and observations collected. This is because the level of agreement or disagreement between the observers can affect the quality of the data and conclusions drawn from the study.
To calculate the interobserver agreement, several statistical methods can be used. These methods include the percentage agreement, Cohen’s kappa coefficient, and Fleiss’ Kappa. The percentage agreement is the simplest method and involves dividing the number of agreements between the observers by the total number of observations made. Cohen’s kappa coefficient and Fleiss’ Kappa are more robust methods and take into account the possibility of chance agreement between the observers.
To illustrate how to calculate interobserver agreement, let us consider a research study that involves observing the behavior of children with ADHD in a classroom setting. The observers of the study are two teachers, and their task is to record the frequency of specific behaviors exhibited by the children with ADHD.
The teachers observe the children for one hour and record the frequency of three behaviors: hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. When the data is collected, it is time to calculate the interobserver agreement.
Using the percentage agreement method, the number of agreements between the two teachers is divided by the total number of observations. Let us say that the number of agreements between the teachers was 75, and they made a total of 100 observations. The percentage agreement would be 75/100, which is 0.75 or 75%.
Using Cohen’s kappa coefficient, the level of agreement is adjusted for chance agreement between the two observers. Let us say that the observed agreement between the two teachers was 80%, and the chance agreement was 60%. The Cohen’s kappa coefficient would be (0.8-0.6)/(1-0.6), which is 0.5. This indicates moderate agreement between the teachers.
Using Fleiss’ Kappa, the level of agreement is adjusted for chance agreement and the number of observers. Let us say that there were three observers in this study. The observed agreement between the three observers was 65%, and the chance agreement was 50%. The Fleiss’ Kappa would be (0.65-0.5)/(1-0.5), which is 0.3. This indicates fair agreement between the observers.
In conclusion, calculating interobserver agreement is an important process in research studies that require multiple observers. It helps to ensure the reliability and validity of the data collected. The choice of the statistical method used to calculate the interobserver agreement depends on the number of observers and the level of chance agreement. A high level of interobserver agreement indicates that the data collected is reliable and valid, and the conclusions drawn from the study are more likely to be accurate.