Behavioral Measurement and Data Interpretation Free Online FlashCards

What makes a behavioral definition operational?

An observable description that specifies what the behavior looks or sounds like, when it begins and ends, and what does not count when needed.

What does frequency recording measure?

Frequency recording counts each defined occurrence during an observation. It does not account for how long the observation lasted.

How is behavioral rate calculated?

Rate adjusts the count for observation time: $\text{Rate} = \frac{\text{number of occurrences}}{\text{observation time}}$. State the time unit.

How do you calculate total duration?

Total duration is the sum of the time spent in each episode of the behavior.

How do you find the percentage of an observation spent in a behavior?

Divide total behavior duration by observation duration, then multiply by $100$: $\text{Percentage} = \frac{\text{total duration}}{\text{observation duration}} \times 100$.

What is partial-interval recording?

Score “yes” if the behavior occurs at any time during the interval. This method can overestimate how much time the behavior occupied.

What is whole-interval recording?

Score “yes” only if the behavior continues for the entire interval. This method can underestimate how much time the behavior occupied.

What does momentary time sampling record?

Score whether the behavior is occurring at the specific instant the interval ends. It samples that moment rather than recording everything that happened during the interval.

When is a permanent product a dependable measure?

It is a lasting result examined after the behavior. It is dependable only when it reliably results from the target behavior and cannot readily be produced another way.

What belongs on the axes of a behavioral line graph?

Put time or session number on the horizontal $x$-axis and the measured value, including its units, on the vertical $y$-axis.

What does trend describe in a behavioral graph?

Trend describes whether data values are generally increasing, decreasing, or staying about the same.

Does a before-and-after graph prove an intervention caused a change?

A simple before-and-after pattern can suggest that supports are helping, but it does not prove that an intervention caused the change.