Methodological considerations when conducting direct observation in an outdoor environment: our experience in local parks

Engelhard, Susanne; Stubbs, Joanne M.; Weston, Peter; Fitzgerald, Susan; Milat, Andrew; Honeysett, Darryl

doi:10.1111/j.1753-6405.2001.tb01837.x

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Fewer observation studies of park visitors have been conducted in Australia and they have been primarily limited to small neighborhood parks [ 14 , 15 ] or focused only on children [ 16 ]. However, all of these studies were designed to examine the impact of park refurbishment on park visitation and did not report park visitor characteristics or how these characteristics were associated with park visitation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How active are people in metropolitan parks? An observational study of park visitation in Australia

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundParks are generally an under-utilized resource in the community with great potential to enhance levels of physical activity. If parks are to attract more visitors across a broad cross-section of the population and facilitate increased physical activity, research is needed to better understand park visitor characteristics and how visitors spend their time in parks. The Recording and EValuating Activity in a Modified Park (REVAMP) study is a natural experiment monitoring a park upgrade in a low socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhood. This study described the observed baseline characteristics of park visitors (age, sex) and characteristics of visitation (weekday or weekend day, period of the day) and explored how these characteristics were associated with observed park-based physical activity in two metropolitan parks located Melbourne, Australia.MethodsDirect observations of park visitors were conducted using a modified version of SOPARC (the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities) on four weekdays and four weekend days. During weekdays, observations were conducted every hour from 7:30 am-4:30 pm and on weekend days from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. This equated to a total of 1460 scans across the two parks. Chi-square tests examined bivariate associations between park-based physical activity, and socio-demographic and park visitation characteristics. Logistic regression models examined the odds of being observed engaging in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity relative to lying/sitting/standing according to socio-demographic and park visitation characteristics.ResultsIn total, 4756 park visitors were observed with the majority visiting on weekend days (87 %) and in the afternoon (41 %). Most visitors (62 %) were lying, sitting or standing, with only 29 % observed engaging in moderate-intensity and 9 % in vigorous-intensity physical activity. Park use differed by time of day, sex, age group, and neighborhood SES. Physical activity was lower for women than men (OR 0.76) and higher among visitors in the high SES area (OR 1.52).ConclusionsParks offer substantial opportunities for people of all ages to engage in physical activity; however, this study showed that a large proportion of the park visitors observed were engaged in sedentary pursuits. Further research on how park design, amenities and programming can optimize park visitation and park-based physical activity is needed.Trial RegistrationCurrent controlled trial ISRCTN50745547, registration date 11.1.2014

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How active are people in metropolitan parks? An observational study of park visitation in Australia

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A detailed discussion of the methodology and validity of direct human observation is beyond the scope of this paper, but several sources discuss these issues in detail. 20,21,[32][33][34] Study design for validation of automated monitoring systems should consider sampling monitoring time periods; collecting enough samples to account for daily, weekly, and seasonal variations; and varying data collection schedules to account for variations in weather, special events, or other causes. 14 Methods should be applied systematically to provide either continuous sampling or careful random or stratified random sampling.…”

Section: General Concerns Related To Testing and Validation Of Automamentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Physical Activity: Uses and Measurement Issues With Automated Counters

Granner¹,

Sharpe²

2004

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Promotion of physical activity is a public health priority, and environmental factors influence physical activity behavior. Valid and reliable automated measurement tools of physical activity for assessment and evaluation within public settings are needed. Methods: Searches of the research literature and governmental reports from physical activity, transportation, and recreation fields were conducted to identify methods of automated counting and validation studies. The article provides a summary of (a) current methods and uses of automated counters, (b) information about validity and reliability where available, (c) strengths and limitations of each method, and (d) measurement issues. Results: Existing automated counting technology has strengths and limitations. Infrared sensors have been the most commonly used type of monitor and can mark date and time of passage, but are vulnerable to errors due to environmental conditions; cannot detect more than one person passing at a time; cannot identify mode of activity or distinguish among individuals; and lack consistent and adequate reliability for use in open spaces. Seismic devices and inductive loops may be useful for specific applications. More information is needed concerning the validity and reliability of infrared sensors, seismic devices, and inductive loops for confined areas. Computer imaging systems hold potential to address some of the limitations of other automated counters and for applications in both confined and open areas, but validation research is in the initial stages. Conclusions: Although automated monitoring is a promising method for measurement of physical activity, more research is necessary to determine the acceptable parameters of performance for each type of automated monitor and for which applications each is best suited.

show abstract

“…For this study that uses direct observation as a technique of data collecting, the placement of the observation site, observation timeframe, observer reliability, data recording and accuracy, and special difficulties connected to outdoor observation regions are taken into consideration. Direct observation can yield useful data [29]. The issues discussed in this paper will provide a useful guide for other researchers undertaking direct observation in outdoor environments.…”

Section: The Observationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Affordances of Urban Housing Estate Mini-Park towards Physical and Social Activities of Senior Citizens at Taman Midah, Cheras

Wei¹,

Rahman²

2023

ujph

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

By 2044, Malaysia will have been leaning towards an "aged society" with 14 percent of the population above 65 years of age. As such, it is increasingly important that public parks accommodate recreation activity for senior citizens, offering various passive and energetic outdoor activities. The physical element in public parks should complement the performance of certain activities. The seating area in an open environment is one of the physical features that must exist, accommodate and be a catalyst for another activity. A human can conduct an activity in several ways through possibilities provided by the environment, which is explained by the affordance hypothesis. Taman Bermain Taman Midah, a mini-park located in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur provides facilities to allow for outdoor activities. The study will include a literature analysis as well as observation of visitors to determine how they used the space at the mini-park and how it may provide both passive and active enjoyment to senior citizens.

show abstract

Methodological considerations when conducting direct observation in an outdoor environment: our experience in local parks

Abstract: Objective: This paper discusses some of the inherent methodological limitations of gathering data via direct observation using local parks as a case study.

Cited by 8 publications

References 4 publications

How active are people in metropolitan parks? An observational study of park visitation in Australia

How active are people in metropolitan parks? An observational study of park visitation in Australia

Monitoring Physical Activity: Uses and Measurement Issues With Automated Counters

Affordances of Urban Housing Estate Mini-Park towards Physical and Social Activities of Senior Citizens at Taman Midah, Cheras

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About