Observation

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Observation
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Defining Behavior page 192

• Topography
• Function
• Characteristics
• Duration
• Latency
• Frequency
• Amplitude

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Duration

• Length of time a behavior lasts
• Total Duration
• Divide total occurrence by the length of the
  observation.
• Example in a 30 minute observation is the student
  is out of seat for 16 minutes then total
  occurrence is 16/30.53

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Latency

• Length of time between signal to perform and
  beginning of the behavior
• Behavior must have a discrete beginning
• Situations for using

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Frequency

• How often behaviors occur
• Calculate as rate 3 episodes in 15 min
• When not to use
• High occurrence behaviors
• Behavior occurs over prolonged period of time.

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Amplitude

• How intense is the behavior
• Objective vs. subjective descriptions of
  amplitude
• Example
• whimpering,
• sobbing,
• crying,
• screaming

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Discussion Examples

• Selecting characteristic
• Context for behavior
• Comparison with peers
• Time sampling

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Whole - interval recording

• Observation period is divided into intervals.
• Behavior is scored if it occurs throughout the
  whole interval

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Partial - interval recording

• Observation session divided into intervals
• Behavior is scored if it occurs any time during
  that interval.

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Momentary Time Sampling

• Observation session divided into intervals.
• Behavior is scored if it occurs at the last
  moment of that interval.

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Continuous Time Sampling

• Most accurate way to estimate frequency
• Continuous recording for shorter observation
  sessions.