Measuring Behavior Flashcards
Event Recording
any measurement procedure in which the frequency of each behavior is recorded during an observation (aka frequency recording)
How do you summarize the data from event recording
Data from event recording are typically summarized as the frequency (count) of responses or response rate (frequency divided by time).
Event recording is only appropriate for what types of behaviors?
Event recording is only appropriate for behaviors that have clear beginnings and endings and do not occur so frequently that it is impossible to accurately record them.
And: Event recording is also best suited for behaviors that occur for comparable durations.
What is a down side to event recording?
Event recording requires the observer to constantly monitor the behavior, which may not be feasible in many service environments.
When is event recording not an appropriate choice?
1) if the recorder has limited time
2) behaviors that do not have discrete beginning and ending
3) for behaviors that occur so frequently it is impossible to accurately record them
Define event recording
measurement procedure for obtaining a tally or count of the number of times a behavior occurs
What are the measurable dimensions of Behavior?
1) Repeatability (countability)
2) Temporal Extent (duration)
3) Temporal locus (when)
Name some measures based on repeatability
1) count
2) rate (frequency) of responding: # of responses per unit of time
What 6 rules and guidelines allow researchers and practitioners to obtain, describe, and interpret count and rate data most appropriately?
1) Always reference the counting time (what was the duration of the observation)
2) Calculate correct and incorrect rates of response when assessing skill development
3) Take into account the varied complexity of the responses
4) Use rate of responding when measuring free operants
5) Do not use rate to measure behaviors that occur within discrete trials
6) Do not use rate to measure continuous behaviors that occur for extended periods of time.
Define free operant
The term free operant refers to behaviors that have a discrete beginning and ending point, require minimal displacement of the organism in time and space, can be emitted at any time, do not require much time for completion, and can be emitted over a wide range of response rates.
Why shouldn’t you use rate to measure behaviors that occur within discrete trials?
Response rates of behaviors that occur within discrete trials are controlled by a given opportunity to emit that response. Behaviors that occur within discrete trials are opportunity-bound.
What measure should one use instead of rate to measure behaviors that occur within discrete trials?
Percentage of response opportunities in which a response was emitted or trials-to-criterion should be employed in discrete trials, not rate.
Name some procedures for measuring behavior
1) Event Recording
2) Timing
3) Various time sampling methods
When is event recording difficult, or a poor choice of measurement?
Event recording (tallying, counting) is difficult for behaviors without discrete action or object relations, such as engagement with materials during free-play activity, as observers may have a difficult time judging when one engagement starts and ends, and another engagement begins.
Name some behaviors that would be difficult to measure with event recording.
High frequency behaviors including rapid talking, body rocks, and tapping objects. Event recording does not produce accurate measures for target behaviors that occur for extended periods of time: staying on task, listening, playing quietly alone, being out of one’s seat, or thumb sucking.
