Measurement Basics
What is measurement?
The process of assigning a numerical value to a behavior or characteristics.
What is frequency?
The number of times a behavior occurs
What is partial-interval recording?
Recording whether the behavior occurred at any time during the interval.
What should an RBT do immediately after observing a target behavior?
Record the data according to the behavior plan or data-collection procedure
A learner engages in screaming 8 times during a session. What measurement is this?
Frequency
What does it mean for a behavior to be observable?
It can be seen or heard by another person.
What is duration?
How long a behavior lasts.
What is whole-interval recording?
Recording the behavior only if it occurs for the entire interval.
Why should RBTs collect data consistently?
To accurately track progress and determine whether interventions are effective
A behavior occurred for 15 minutes during a 60-minute session. What percentage of the session did the behavior occur?
25%
What does it mean for a behavior to be measurable?
It can be quantified using a defined measurement system.
What is latency?
The amount of time between an instruction or stimulus and the beginning of the response.
What is momentary time sampling?
Recording whether the behavior is occurring at the specific moment the interval ends.
An RBT forgets to record data for several trials and fills it in later from memory. Why is this a problem?
The data may be inaccurate because it was not recorded directly after observation
A learner completed 18 out of 20 tasks independently. What percentage were completed independently?
90%
Why is an operational definition important when collecting data?
It ensures everyone measures the behavior consistently.
What is interresponse time (IRT)?
The amount of time between two consecutive responses.
What discontinuous measurement procedure tends to OVERESTIMATE behavior?
Partial-interval recording
What is permanent product measurement?
Measuring the lasting result or product of a behavior rather than directly observing the behavior
A learner's behavior decreased from 20 occurrences to 10 occurrences. What percentage decrease occurred?
50% decrease
An RBT and BCBA record different numbers of instances of the same behavior because they define it differently. What is the likely problem?
The behavior does not have a clear or objective operational definition.
A learner is told "come here". It takes them 12 seconds to begin walking towards the RBT. What measurement is being used?
Latency
What discontinuous measurement procedure tends to UNDERESTIMATE behavior?
Whole-interval recording
Give one example of permanent product measurement?
Counting completed worksheets, cleaned areas, completed assignments, or items assembled.
A learner had 6 correct responses out of 10 opportunities on Monday and 8 out of 10 on Friday. What happened to the learner's percentage of correct responses?