Monitor observers. Check the observers’ data as soon as possible after they are recorded. Any disagreements or problems should be corrected as soon as possible. If you can (i.e., for publicly...

Monitor observers. Check the observers’ data as soon as possible after they are recorded. Any disagreements or problems should be corrected as soon as possible. If you can (i.e., for publicly observable behaviors), conduct frequent unannounced reliability checks on a random basis by having a second person independently observe and record at the same time as your regular observer (e.g., both parents could collect data on a child’s behavior; a student may be assigned to collect data along with a teacher; a nurse may make a reliability check to assess the consistency of a ward attendant’s data; you as the practitioner may do a reliability probe, for example, by making a home visit and collecting data at the same time as the client). Such checks are important because evidence shows that they increase the reliability of observations. Observers who know that such unannounced checks can occur may be more vigilant.