Google’s mapping tools have fundamentally changed how we can access, code, and analyze information on local neighborhoods. Our team has been working with online tools to capture neighborhood features, such as signs of disorder, the presence of safe play areas, and residential decay – all of which are believed to play an important role in the lives and health of children.
A video introduction to systematic observation in Google Street View is viewable here.
In 2012 we reported that our method for moving neighborhood observations into a virtual context using Google Street View could be conducted reliably and for a fraction of the cost of in-person assessments.
Odgers, CL., Caspi, A., Bates, CJ., Sampson, RJ and Moffitt, TE. (2012). Systematic social observation of children’s neighborhoods using Google Street View: A reliable and cost effective method. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 1009-1017.
Recommended Reference for SSO i-Tour:
Odgers, CL., Bates, CJ., Caspi, A., Sampson, RJ and Moffitt, TE. (2009). Systematic social observation inventory – tally of observations in urban regions (SSO i-Tour). Adaptlab publications: Irvine, CA.
A video on the use of the SSO i-Tour instrument in Google Street View is viewable here.
Access the research paper on the reliability and effectiveness of systematic social observation in Google Street View here
A video example on the use of systematic social observation in Google Street View and relative deprivation is viewable here.
Download a tutorial document that explains how to use Google Earth for systematic social observation here