Data recording methods

http://www.pent.ca.gov/beh/fa/datacollection_dk.pdf


What are the differences and how do I know when to use which procedure?

Event Recording is a tally or count of behaviors as they occur. Event recording is used when it is important to know the number of times a behavior occurs. Behaviors measured using event recording should be ones that occur for short periods of time, such as raising one’s hand, rather than for extended periods, such as reading or playing. The number of occurrences of a behavior can be easily and unobtrusively recorded using a hand tally counter, making marks on masking tape applied to clothing, a desk or wrist, transferring pennies, buttons, or other small object from one pocket to another. To be useful, we want to know how many times a behavior occurred within a certain time frame. This becomes frequency.

Frequency recording is a simple counting of how many times a behavior occurs during a designated period of time. To calculate the frequency of the event, the number of occurrences of the event within a fixed time interval are counted, and then divided by the length of the time interval. To use, a target behavior should have a definite, observable beginning and ending and should not occur at high rates.
 Latency Recording is the measurement of the length of elapsed time between the onset of a stimulus and the occurrence of a behavior.

Latency recording is typically used when we want to decrease the amount of time it takes for a student to respond to an instruction or other stimulus, such as time it takes to get started on an assignment following a direction or to give a verbal response following a question. Latency can be measured using a stopwatch that is started when the stimulus is provided and stopped when the desired behavior begins. Denise Keller, PENT Forum 2005 Rev. 12/06 Interval Recording is used to measure the presence or absence of behavior within specific time intervals. The observation period is divided into equal time periods, such as 5 minute intervals.

Interval recording is useful for estimating the number of occurrences and/or duration of behavior and can be used for high frequency behaviors. There are two kinds: Partial-interval recording and Whole-interval recording.

Partial-Interval Recording: Records whether the behavior was present or absent at any time during the interval (not concerned with how many times the behavior occurred). A data sheet divided into the appropriate intervals is used to record occurrences of the behavior. This procedure tends to produce a slight overestimate of the presence of the target behavior and should therefore be used when the goal is to produce a behavior reduction.

Whole-Interval Recording: The behavior is only recorded if it is present throughout the entire interval. This procedure tends to produce a slight underestimate of the presence of the target behavior and should be used when the goal is to produce an increase in behavior. Both partialinterval and whole-interval recording requires that someone experienced in taking data is able to fully attend to the student during the time recording is taking place. A stop watch or other timing device, such as a digital kitchen timer, is needed along with a pencil and paper divided into the desired intervals to record on.

Momentary Time Sampling records the presence or absence of behaviors immediately following specified time intervals. This is sometimes easier for teachers to use as observation takes place only momentarily at set intervals. For example, every 15 minutes the teacher may look to see if a student (s) is on task. Momentary time sampling provides an estimate of the number of occurrences and can also be used to estimate the duration of a behavior.

Duration Recording: When it is important to know how long a behavior occurs, either to target an increase or decrease in behavior, duration recording can also be used. It is more precise than momentary time sampling or interval recording. Duration recording records the total time or percent of time that a behavior occurs within a specified time period. Duration recording can be used to measure behaviors emitted at high rates. Behavior is measured from the moment of onset until the moment it stops. A stop watch or other clock that can measure in seconds is needed.


A-B-C Recording During direct observation, the operationally defined target behavior is recorded along with the antecedent (stimulus that preceded/ triggered the behavior) and consequence that followed/was the result of the behavior. Additionally, any behavior that resulted from consequence can also be recorded. Antecedents, behavior and consequence are often recorded in narrative form.