Table of Contents
Background:
The Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO) is part of a set of assessment instruments, The Bedimo Rung Assessment Tools, designed to measure the physical, social, and policy environments of parks. This particular tool is a direct observation measure intended to visually identify and evaluate the following aspects of parks: 1) Features, 2) Condition, 3) Access, 4) Esthetics, and 5) Safety.
Psychometrics:
Validity and reliability have been demonstrated (Bedimo-Rung et al., 2006).
Author of Tool:
Bedimo-Rung, A. L., Gustat, J., Tompkins, B. J., Rice, J., & Thomson, J.
Key references:
Bedimo-Rung, A. L., Gustat, J., Tompkins, B. J., Rice, J., & Thomson, J. (2006). Development of a direct observation instrument to measure environmental characteristics of parks for physical activity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 3, S176-S189.
Primary use / Purpose:
This direct observation instrument is designed to assess park characteristics that may be related to physical activity.
| Domain | Geographic Area | Item |
| Access | Target Area | Can the entire TA be locked? |
| Access | Street | What is the traffic volume of the street? |
| Access | Court | Are there sources of light that would allow the courts to be used at night? |
| Access | Sports Field | Are there signs specifying that reservations are required to use the sports field? |
| Condition | Target Area | Rate the condition of the landscaping in the Target Area. |
| Condition | Target Area | How much litter is present in the Target Area? |
| Condition | Court | How much of the court structures appear broken or missing on the courts? |
| Condition | Green Space | Rate the condition of the surface of the green space. |
| Condition | Path | Rate the overall condition of the surface of the path or path segment. |
| Condition | Playground | How much deterioration or corrosion is evident on the play equipment? |
| Condition | Sports Field | Rate the condition of the field. |
| Esthetics | Target Area | Rate the appeal of the view from within the Target Area. |
| Esthetics | Green Space | What portion of the Green Space could potentially be in the shade? |
| Features | Target Area | Are there any picnic Tables in the Target Area? |
| Features | Court | Is the court outdoor or indoor? |
| Features | Green Space | Describe the surface area of the Green Space/Open Area. |
| Features | Path | What is the surface of the path or path segment made of? |
| Features | Playground | What type of play- ground equipment is present: Climbing Apparatus |
| Features | Sports Field | What structures are present on the sports field: Scoreboard |
| Safety | Target Area | How many of the restrooms are gender- labeled? |
| Safety | Playground | If playground surfacing is a loose mate- rial, how deep is it? |
Note. *Assessed on a 5-point scale, then dichotomized for this analysis.
Cite this article
mohammad looti (2026). Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/direct-observation-instrument-brat-do/
mohammad looti. "Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 30 Mar. 2026, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/direct-observation-instrument-brat-do/.
mohammad looti. "Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2026. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/direct-observation-instrument-brat-do/.
mohammad looti (2026) 'Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO)', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/direct-observation-instrument-brat-do/.
[1] mohammad looti, "Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO)," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, March, 2026.
mohammad looti. Direct Observation Instrument (BRAT-DO). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2026;vol(issue):pages.