Which method involves gathering information about behavior without direct observation?

The method that involves gathering information about behavior without direct observation is indeed indirect assessment. Indirect assessments rely on information obtained through interviews, questionnaires, rating scales, or surveys completed by individuals who are familiar with the behavior in question. This approach provides valuable insights based on the perspectives of caregivers, teachers, or others who interact with the individual but does not involve observing the behavior in real time.

In contrast, direct assessment focuses on observing and measuring the behavior as it occurs, which does not fit the criteria of being indirect. Descriptive assessment is a term that often relates to observing and recording behavior to get a clear picture of its occurrence, which again does not align with the concept of gathering information without direct observation. Functional analysis is a specialized form of assessment that entails manipulating environmental variables to determine their effect on behavior, clearly requiring direct observation to analyze the results. Thus, indirect assessment stands out as the method that relies on second-hand reports rather than firsthand observation.